The Raven and the Dove by Kaitlyn Davis - A Review

“Love is when you find a piece of yourself in someone else, a piece you never knew was missing, but without which you'd be broken. You feel whole, and complete, and accepted for exactly who you are. You can be your true self, because around this person, for the first time you have no desire to pretend to be anyone else.”

Today we are talking about The Raven and the Dove by Kaitlyn Davis which is the first book in The Raven and the Dove series. It was published at the beginning of 2020 and it sits on my tbr since then. I finally read it this month and I really liked it. 

It is an epic fantasy retelling of Tristan and Isolde and it has everything. Betrayals, star-crossed lovers, fierce heroines, brooding heroes and forbidden romances. It is action packed and with many plot twists. I really liked the writing style and the world building. I liked all the characters and if I had to choose a favourite it would be Rafe or Cassi.

The ending was really good and left me with my mouth open. Thankfully I have the next books to read asap.

Rating: 4 Stars

About the book:

Four fates collide in this avian-inspired, epic fantasy retelling of Tristan and Isolde perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Sabaa Tahir, and Leigh Bardugo!

A princess longing to be free...

On the dawn of her courtship trials, Princess Lyana Aethionus knows she should be focused on winning her perfect mate, yet her thoughts wander to the open sky waiting at the edge of her floating kingdom. One final adventure calls. Upon fleeing the palace, the last thing she expects to find is a raven prince locked in a death match with a dragon.

A bastard aching to belong...

Reviled son of a dead king, Rafe would do anything for his beloved half-brother, Prince Lysander Taetanus, including posing as him in the upcoming courtship trials. When a dragon interrupts their secret exchange, he orders his studious sibling to run. After suffering a fatal blow, Rafe is saved by a beautiful dove who possesses forbidden magic, just like him.

Fate brought them together, now destiny will tear them apart...

Unknown to the world above, on the foggy sea ten thousand feet below, a young king fights a forgotten war. He believes Lyana is the queen prophesied to save the world, and with the help of his favored spy, hidden deep in the highest ranks of the dove royal house, he will stop at nothing to have her.

Three shocking betrayals. Two star-crossed lovers. One unforgettable journey. If you like fierce heroines, brooding heroes, forbidden romance, and action-packed magical adventures with twists you'll never see coming, don't miss The Raven and the Dove! 

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

Athina

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This Vicious Grace (The Last Finestra #1) by Emily Thiede - A Review

 

“She might be but one stitch in the tapestry, but every stitch had a purpose, and threads couldn't become art without them.”

This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede is a YA fantasy book and the first in The Last Finestra series. The book was released on June 2022.

I wasn't expecting to like this one but I loved it. Thanks to the #btww girls that picked this book for our monthly read, I found a new favourite book. 

This book has strong main characters, slow-burn romance and interesting magic system. Alessa is strong, determined and stubborn. Dante is brave, strong, sweet and also very handsome. I loved him. 

I really liked the story and the Italian setting, as well as the magic system. My favourite was the banter between our main characters. I loved every part of it. Alessa and Dante are a joy to read. 
There are also some twists and turns that I wasn't expecting and the ending was really good and intense. I cannot wait for book two.

Rating: 5 Stars

About the book:

Three weddings. Three funerals. Alessa's gift from the gods is supposed to magnify a partner's magic, not kill every suitor she touches.

Now, with only weeks left until a hungry swarm of demons devours everything on her island home, Alessa is running out of time to find a partner and stop the invasion. When a powerful priest convinces the faithful that killing Alessa is the island's only hope, her own soldiers try to assassinate her.

Desperate to survive, Alessa hires Dante, a cynical outcast marked as a killer, to become her personal bodyguard. But as rebellion explodes outside the gates, Dante's dark secrets may be the biggest betrayal. He holds the key to her survival and her heart, but is he the one person who can help her master her gift or destroy her once and for all?

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

Athina

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The River of Silver : Tales from the Daevabad Trilogy by S. A. Chakraborty - A Review

 

The River of Silver : Tales from the Daevabad Trilogy by S. A. Chakraborty is a compilation of stories from before, during, and after the events of The City of Brass, The Kingdom of Copper, and The Empire of Gold, all from the perspective of characters both beloved and hated, and even those without a voice in the novels. The River of Silver gathers material both seen and new.

I loved this collection of stories from the Daevabad trilogy. It was everything that I wanted from my favourite characters. It was really good to be back in this magical world..

It's a beautiful collection and it perfectly compliments the main trilogy. We got to see some events of the main trilogy through the eyes of other characters and I appreciated that. 

I listened this book on audio as te physical copy wasn't yet released. I loved the narrator (Soneela Nankani), who is the same one from the other books.

Rating: 5 Stars

Here is a little bit more about the stories:

A prospective new queen joins a court whose lethal history may overwhelm her own political savvy…

An imprisoned royal from a fallen dynasty and a young woman wrenched from her home cross paths in an enchanted garden…

A pair of scouts stumble upon a secret in a cursed winter wood that will turn over their world…

Now together in one place, these stories of Daevabad enrich a world already teeming with magic and wonder. From Manizheh’s first steps towards rebellion to adventures that take place after The Empire of Gold, this is a must-have collection for those who can’t get enough of Nahri, Ali, and Dara and all that unfolded around them.  

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

Athina

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A Sea of Eternal Woe by R. L. Davennor - A Review & Book Tour

 

Today I’m excited to participate in the Creative Blog Tour for A Sea of Eternal Woe by R.L. Davennor hosted by MTMC Tours.  

The adventures of A Land of Never After continue in its thrilling sequel A Sea of Eternal Woe, where Sinbad meets The Little Mermaid. Out on  August 30th, 2022 from Night Muse Press!

Title: A Sea of Eternal Woe

Author: R.L. Davennor

Series: Curses of Never #2

Publisher: Night Muse Press 

Publication Date: August 30, 2022

Genres: Adult, Dark Fantasy, Fairytale, Retelling

Pages: 320

Format: eBook, Paperback

Purchase a copy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

Add on Goodreads!

My Review

I really enjoyed reading this book. I found it fascinating and very intriguing. I liked the writing style and the world was really interesting.

My favourite character was Captain Hook.

I really enjoyed the mix of fairytales in the book and how the author made them to fit her story so well.

Rating: 4 stars

About the book:

As Captain Wendy Maynard...

I have everything I ever dared dream of. A ship all my own. Friends by my side. A purpose—and a home. I should have known it would all go to shit.

The exhausting combination of storms and outrunning monsters have left The Jolly Serpent battered and broken, and my crew no longer trusts me to pick up the pieces. Just when it looks like Peter and I are about to be thrown overboard, the unlikeliest of saviors shows up…

My father.

I didn’t plan on seeing Captain Hook again so soon, but he needs me, and I need him. The sea witch Ursa is hiding far more than secrets, and if the rumors are to be believed? Her realm makes the horrors of Neverland look warm and fuzzy in comparison. Failure to retrieve what we’ve lost simply isn’t an option. If we do, it’s not our lives Ursa wants.

It's our very souls.

The adventures of A Land of Never After continue in its thrilling sequel A Sea of Eternal Woe, where Sinbad meets The Little Mermaid. Like its predecessor, this dark fantasy reimagining is filled to the brim with monsters, curses, and pirates. This installment contains language, violence, sexual content, gender dysphoria, and instances of transphobia, including misgendering.

Meet the Main Character: Wendy!

Hi Wendy! Can you introduce yourself?

Oh, hi! I'm Wendy Maynard, daughter of... well, never mind. I'm sixteen years old, love the sea, and my best friends are a boy named Peter Pan and his fairy, Tink.

When A Sea of Eternal Woe starts, what is your life like?

It's not going as expected, that's for damn sure. My life's dream has been to captain a ship of my own, but it's hardly fair that my very first voyage involves dodging bloodthirsty sea monsters.

What do you want more than anything?

Don't tell anyone because it's embarrassing, but what I want most is a home and a family. I'm hoping I'll find both at sea.

Tell us about Peter, who he is and what he's like?

Peter and I met on my sixteenth birthday. We didn't exactly get off on the right foot considering he stole from me, but once I pried some answers out of him he became much more tolerable, even likeable. We're nearly inseparable now, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Weapon and outfit of choice?

To use on Hook, a blade (he's afraid of them), but for everyone else, a pistol. I'm most comfortable in a loose fitting shirt and breeches, paired with a decent pair of boots, of course.

Tell us about Captain Hook...what's it like working with him?

Gods, do we have to talk about him? The man is insufferable, and I can barely stand to be in his presence. I'm not sure what you mean about working together - he's all but taken charge, the bastard.

How keen are you to go head to head with the sea witch, Ursa?

I wouldn't say I'm keen on a personal level, because I'm facing her for Peter, and no one else. I trust him, though, and trust that he knows what he's doing far more than I ever could.

Tell us about your world! What is it like and how far have you traveled?

I'm afraid I'm not much use on the travel front - I didn't leave my home city, Afterport, or the nearby Neverland until we left to seek out Ursa. As for my world, it was relatively mundane until I ventured into Neverland and discovered that monsters, both man and beast, are very much real.

Tell us 2 random facts about yourself!

I own an enchanted music box that will play any song you ask of it, and I seem to possess an affinity for certain creatures - Neverland's Nightstalkers, for example. I could hear them speak when few others could.

Lastly, what can we expect from you during A Sea of Eternal Woe!

Evidently I'll be pushed to my limit, both physically and mentally, discover new uses for my talent with beasts, and forced to confront Captain Hook on multiple occasions. I really don't like the sound of that last one.

INTL Tour-wide Instagram Giveaway!

Head over to my Instagram account to enter the tour giveaway where:

- One winner will receive paperback copies of A Dance with the Devil, A Land of Never After, and A Sea of Eternal Woe (signed if USA, Bookplate if International)!

-Two runners-up will receive e-book copies of A Dance with the Devil, A Land of Never After, and A Sea of Eternal Woe!

Ends on September 10th, 2022. Winners will be announced on @mtmctours’ Instagram account.

About R.L. Davennor:

Raelynn Davennor is an author of fantasy and science fiction, a musician and composer, and a creature of the night.

Nestled among her fictional worlds full of darkness, dragons, and sassy heroines, you'll often find a musical number or two. An accomplished performer, she's made appearances with artists such as The Who, Weird Al, and Hugh Jackman on many of the largest stages in the United States.

Raelynn is usually lost in her head, dressing up in costume, or humming a tune she can't wait to scribble down. When not obsessing over her latest idea, she enjoys pampering her menagerie of pets and pretending she isn’t an adult. Her home base is https://rldavennor.com where you'll find more information, her newsletter, and links to social media.

Website |Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

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The Dragon's Promise (Six Crimson Cranes #2) by Elizabeth Lim - A review

 

The Dragon's Promise by Elizabeth Lim is a YA Fantasy book and the second book in the Six Crimson Cranes duology. The book was released on August 30th 2022 by Hodder & Stoughton.

Disclaimer: I was lucky enough to receive an eARC of this book . All opinions are my own.

Check out my review for Six Crimson Cranes here

Add The Dragon's Promise to your Goodreads TBR here

Purchase The Dragon's Promise:

Amazon /  Book Depository /  Barnes & Noble /  Indigo /  IndieBound

My Review

The Dragon's Promise is the conclusion to the Six Crimson Cranes duology and I really liked it. It is a sweet, heartwarming story that combines Asian mythology with romance and some high stakes. 

The book picks up where Six Crimson Cranes has ended and we follow Shiori as she tries to fulfill her promise to Raikama as well as saving Kiata and her people. 

I really like Elizabeth Lim's writing and I love the world, which is magical (and also has dragons). The story reads like a fairytale and it also has its twists and turns. It is well paced and has the necessary action. 

I also really liked that a character from  Spin the Dawn takes part in this one too.

Rating: 4 Stars

About the book:

Princess Shiori made a deathbed promise to return the dragon's pearl to its rightful owner, but keeping that promise is more dangerous than she ever imagined.

She must journey to the kingdom of dragons, navigate political intrigue among humans and dragons alike, fend off thieves who covet the pearl for themselves and will go to any lengths to get it, all while cultivating the appearance of a perfect princess to dissuade those who would see her burned at the stake for the magic that runs in her blood.

The pearl itself is no ordinary cargo; it thrums with malevolent power, jumping to Shiori's aid one minute, and betraying her the next—threatening to shatter her family and sever the thread of fate that binds her to her true love, Takkan. It will take every ounce of strength Shiori can muster to defend the life and the love she's fought so hard to win.

About the author:

Elizabeth Lim is the author of the critically-acclaimed and bestselling The Blood of Stars duology (Spin the Dawn and Unravel the Dusk), the New York Times bestseller So This is Love, and the USA Today bestseller Reflection. Forthcoming books include the Six Crimson Cranes duology, expected summer 2021 and summer 2022, respectively. 

Elizabeth grew up on a hearty staple of fairy tales, myths, and songs. Her passion for storytelling began around age 10, when she started writing fanfics for Sailor Moon, Sweet Valley, and Star Wars, and posted them online to discover, “Wow, people actually read my stuff. And that’s kinda cool!” But after one of her teachers told her she had “too much voice” in her essays, Elizabeth took a break from creative writing to focus on not flunking English. 

Over the years, Elizabeth became a film and video game composer, and even went so far as to get a doctorate in music composition. But she always missed writing, and she turned to penning stories when she needed a breather from grad school. One day, she decided to write and finish a novel—for kicks, at first, then things became serious—and she hasn’t looked back since.

Elizabeth graduated from Harvard College with an A.B. in music and a secondary in East Asian Studies, and she completed her graduate degrees (MM, DMA) at The Juilliard School. She grew up in Northern California and Tokyo, Japan, and now resides in New York with her husband and two daughters.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Check out the rest of the tour schedule here

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

Athina

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Book Of Night (Book of Night #1) by Holly Black - A Review

 “Love was a family religion, passed down to her when she'd been too young to protect herself from belief.”

Book of Night by Holly Black is  an urban fantasy book and the first  in the Book of Night series. It was published in May 2022 by Tor Books.

This is Holly Black's adult debut and it is a modern dark fantasy of shadowy thieves and secret societies. 

We follow Charlie Hall. In her world, shadows can be altered, for entertainment and cosmetic preferences—but also to increase power and influence. You can alter someone’s feelings—and memories—but manipulating shadows has a cost, with the potential to take hours or days from your life. Your shadow holds all the parts of you that you want to keep hidden—a second self, standing just to your left, walking behind you into lit rooms. And sometimes, it has a life of its own.

Charlie is a low-level con artist, working as a bartender while trying to distance herself from the powerful and dangerous underground world of shadow trading. She gets by doing odd jobs for her patrons and the naive new money in her town at the edge of the Berkshires. But when a terrible figure from her past returns, Charlie’s present life is thrown into chaos, and her future seems at best, unclear—and at worst, non-existent. Determined to survive, Charlie throws herself into a maelstrom of secrets and murder, setting her against a cast of doppelgängers, mercurial billionaires, shadow thieves, and her own sister—all desperate to control the magic of the shadows.

My feelings are mixed for this book. I liked the writing style and I found the magic system interesting but a little complicated. The book introduces us to a world where shadows can be removed, enhanced and manipulated. 

I liked the shifts between past and present.  We got to see Charlie's childhood and how she became who she is . I also really liked the plot twist towards the end. I wasn't expecting that. 

However, I didn't like the pacing of the book and I couldn't connect with the characters. 

I loved the ending and I am however intrigued to see what happens next.

Rating: 3 Stars

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

Athina

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Song of Echoes by R. E. Palmer - A Review

 

‘All that has gone before is woven into the Song; joy, sorrow; kind acts and cruel acts; creation and destruction. Past, present, and what has yet to come, make themselves known — if you know how to listen.’

Song of Echoes by R. E. Palmer is a fantasy book and the first book in the Song of Echoes series. It was released in July 2021.

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

I really enjoyed this fantasy book.  I liked everything about it: the writing style, the storyline, the world and the characters. 

The pacing of the book is fast and there are also action scenes that I really enjoyed.

Character-wise, I really like one of our main characters, Elodi.  She is strong, smart and determined. I also liked Toryn our other main character as well as many of the side characters. There are also great friendship dynamics among the characters. I also really liked the two POVs of the story, Elodi and Toryn. 

The world building is also really good. We learn many things about this world but there are a lot more to be discovered. I hope the sequel sees to that. 

Rating: 4 Stars

About the book:

For three hundred years, the people of the Five Realms have lived in relative peace, protected by their great leader, the Archon. Yet, far to the north, in the frozen lands beyond the Draegalen Trench, the Ruuk stir, driven by a rising evil, long believed banished from the world. But rumors questioning the Archon’s ability to defend the realms once more, persist.

Elodi, the Lady Harlyn, uneasy in her new role following the death of her father, and Toryn, a farmworker and outsider in his village, must discover a way to fight an enemy that all but defeated their ancestors.

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

Athina

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Assassin's Creed Fate of the Gods (Last Descendants #3) by Matthew J. Kirby - A Review

 

Assassin's Creed Fate of the Gods by Matthew J. Kirby is the third book in the Last Descendants series. It is a fantasy book with some historical elements and was published 2017 by Scholastic. It is of course set in the same universe as the famous Assassin's Creed video game.

We continue to follow our main characters from the previous two books. Now only one piece of the Trident of Eden remains. Isaiah, a rogue Templar agent, has discovered both the faith prong and the fear prong of this powerful relic. Should he possess the devotion prong, there is little that can stop him. For the time being, Owen and his fellow teens have established an uneasy alliance across Assassin and Templar lines in order to stop Isaiah while they still can. 

Over a thousand years earlier, Styrbjorn the Strong, a Danish warrior, leads the Jomsvikings against the Danish king, Harald Bluetooth. It is on those Viking battlefields that the secrets of the devotion prong lie. It is there that the fate of the world, the truth behind the teens' collective unconsciousness, and their ancestral links to one another lie. 

History has already been written. The rest is up to Owen, Javier, and the other members of their unlikely alliance. The actions they take will change the world of Assassin's Creed forever.

This is the conclusion to the Last Descendants trilogy and I really enjoyed it. We got to see what happened to our heroes and how their actions (and their ancestors) affected the world. 

Fate of the Gods was my favourite in the trilogy. It was action-packed, both in the past and in the present day and we also got to know our characters better. 

The story is simple but it works great and the world-building is really good. I also really liked the ending as it tied up everything.  

Rating: 4 Stars

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

Athina

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The Valkyrie's Daughter by Tiana Warner - A Review

 

"Nine Worlds. Two outcasts. One Destiny"

The Valkyrie's Daughter (formerly titled The Helheim Princess) by Tiana Warner, is a YA fantasy book inspired by Norse Mythology and it is the first book in The Helheim Prophecy series. The book will be published on July 26th by Entangled Teen.

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

It is a thrilling, intricate, and romantic #OwnVoices LGBTQ fantasy that builds on Norse mythology into a beautiful story all its own.

We follow Sigrid , who for as long as she could remember, she’s wanted to become a mighty, fearless valkyrie. But without a winged mare, she’s a mere stable hand, left wondering who her parents were and why she’s so different. So when the Eye shows her a vision where she's leading a valkyrie charge on the legendary eight-legged horse Sleipnir, she grabs the possibility of this greater destiny with both hands, refusing to let go. 

Too bad that the only one who can help her get there is Mariam, an enemy valkyrie who begrudgingly agrees to lead her to Helheim but who certainly can’t be trusted―even if she does make Sigrid more than a little flustered. As they cross the nine worlds, battling night elves, riding sea serpents, and hurtling into fire to learn the truth about Sigrid’s birthright, an unexpected but powerful bond forms. 

As her feelings for Mariam deepen into something fiery and undeniable, Fate has other plans for Sigrid. What happens when the one thing you think you were meant to do might end the nine worlds?

Lately I really enjoy reading Viking / Norse mythology inspired books and this one was no exception. 

I liked the writing style and I loved the story. There is an LGBTQ+ slow burn romance in the book that was perfectly done. I also really liked how the relationship between Sigrid and Mariam evolved as well as the friendship dynamics between Sigrid, Mariam and Fisk.

The world is inspired by Norse Mythology and it is done beautifully despite the liberties that the author took. I loved the part where they travelled through the nine worlds to Helheim where Sigrid would fulfill her destiny.

It has a satisfying ending and I am really excited to read the next book with new adventures for Sigrid.

Rating: 4 Stars

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

Athina

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A Song Among the Silence by Julie Janis - A Review

 

"In a poisoned world ruled by Darkness, you are a song among the silence."

A Song Among the Silence by Julie Janis is a YA fantasy debut novel that is the first book in The Rythmist Cycle. The book is already out.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I liked the world - building and I found the magic system very interesting and unique. I really liked the story and I loved the plot twists and tensions. 

I liked our main characters, Kota and Derrick and their character development and relationship dynamics. I am also curious to see what will happen to the "villain" of our story Killian. Alfi of course was my favourite of all.

I am really interested to see how the story continues in the next book and whether or not my questions about the world and some of the characters will be answered. Fingers crossed they are.

Rating: 4 Stars

Add the book on your Goodreads TBR here

The next book in the series, A Gleam Amidst the Dark will be released on July 26th 2022.  

About the book: 

Life has never been easy for Derrick. Having been raised among the Nixormans—a species with quick reflexes who pride themselves on being great soldiers—all Derrick wants is to join the human world and finally belong. When Derrick meets a human girl in the forest, he finally takes a stand against his guardian and leaves for the human kingdom. But what he expected is far from what he finds. The human kingdom is suffering from the winter and is bathed in more Darkness than what he imagined.

Being the princess of a suffering kingdom cursed with an eternal winter didn't make Kota Holland's life as grand as it could be. Especially after her mother dies and her father marries a Dark mage. But when her father becomes ill and her stepmother takes control, Kota will do anything to heal him—even if it means dabbling with Dark magic for a cure.

When a cunning Dark mage enters their lives and offers to fix everything, Derrick and Kota find themselves making an unbreakable deal to get their answers. Failure to uphold their end of the deal and a curse will take their lives.

As Derrick’s and Kota’s lives intertwine, they find the winter growing stronger and the kingdom's resources depleting. Without the answers they seek, more is at stake than just their lives. They risk the entire kingdom’s survival.

One wrong step and everything they’ve worked for will crumble.

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

Athina

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Assassin's Creed - The Magus Conspiracy by Kate Heartfield - A Review

 

Assassin's Creed - The Magus Conspiracy by Kate Heartfield is a historical fiction / fantasy book that takes place in the well-known Assassin's Creed universe. The book will be released on August 2nd 2022 by Aconyte.

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

The war between Assassins and Templars wreaks havoc in the Victorian era, in this breakneck thriller which opens up a whole new chapter of the Assassin’s Creed universe and of course I really enjoyed reading it as it's full of the rivalries between Assassin's and Templars.

I liked the storyline and the writing but I would prefer it to be more action packed. It seems that all the action happened towards the end. However I really liked how we got to the ending and the plot twists. 

I also really liked our main characters and especially Pierrette, who is strong willed and smart. 

As with every Assassin's Creed novel I really liked the historical elements and the historical figures that we meet. 

I recommend this book even if you are new to the Assassin's Creed franchise.

Rating: 4 Stars

About the book:

London, 1851 – When Pierrette, a daring acrobat performing at the Great Exhibition, rescues the mathematician Ada Lovelace from a gang of thugs, she becomes immersed in an ancient feud between Assassins and Templars. But Lovelace is gravely ill, and shares her secrets with Pierrette, sending the acrobat in search of a terrible weapon which she’d been developing for a shadowy figure known as “the Magus”. Pierrette’s only ally is Simeon Price, Lovelace’s childhood friend, who belongs to a Brotherhood devoted to free will. With Simeon’s aid, they uncover a startling web of political assassinations destabilizing Europe. As they race to foil the Templars’ deadly plot, murders and bombs are everywhere they look, but hope is nowhere in sight.

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

Athina

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The Final Strife (The Final Strife Trilogy #1) by Saara El-Arifi - A Review

 

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi is a fantasy book and the first book in  The Final Strife Trilogy. The book will be published on June 23rd 2022.

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

This is a beautiful book with a beautiful story and a very interesting world building and magic system. I really like that this debut novel is inspired by Ghanaian folklore and Arabian myths. It is unusual to see in books.

We follow the stories of Sylah, Anoor and Hassa and the connections between them. The book has the friends to lovers trope (F/F) and also the chosen one trope but a little bit different than usual. 

The beginning of the book was a little slow for e but then it picked up and I couldn't put it down. I loved the author's writing style and how she wrote her characters.  Also that plot twist towards the end was perfect and now I need to read book two.

Rating: 4 Stars

About the book:

In the first book of a visionary African and Arabian-inspired fantasy trilogy, three women band together against a cruel Empire that divides people by blood.

Red is the blood of the elite, of magic, of control. 

Blue is the blood of the poor, of workers, of the resistance. 

Clear is the blood of the servants, of the crushed, of the invisible.

Sylah dreams of days growing up in the resistance, being told she would spark a revolution that would free the Empire from the red-blooded ruling classes’ tyranny. That spark was extinguished the day she watched her family murdered before her eyes. 

Anoor has been told she’s nothing, no one, a disappointment by the only person who matters: her mother, the most powerful ruler in the Empire. But dust always rises in a storm. 

Hassa moves through the world unseen by upper classes, so she knows what it means to be invisible. But invisibility has its uses: It can hide the most dangerous of secrets, secrets that can reignite a revolution. 

As the Empire begins a set of trials of combat and skill designed to find its new leaders, the stage is set for blood to flow, power to shift, and cities to burn.

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

Athina

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Assassin's Creed Valhalla by Matthew J. Kirby- Geirmund's Saga - A Review

 Assassin's Creed Valhalla -  Geirmund's Saga by Matthew J. Kirby is another book in the Assassin's Creed universe and it is a fantasy with historical fiction elements. The book in November 2020 by Penguin.

The book is set in the world of Assassin's Creed Valhalla and we follow the story of Geirmund Hel-Hide, who is a legendary Viking. I enjoyed reading this book. Books set in the Assassin's Creed universe are my favourites since they are always action-packed and sometimes they feel like reading a historical fiction book instead of a game novelization. 

It is a nice Viking story with many battle scenes and a lot of travelling. One thing that I didn't like is the fact that there is no mention of Assassins anywhere in the book. There is a slight mention of Templars without mentioning their name and that's it. I wish we had seen more of it.

Rating: 3 Stars

About the book:

Mid-9th century.

The Viking attacks and invasions are shattering England’s kingdoms. 

Born into a royal lineage of Norwegian kings, Geirmund Hel-hide sets out for adventure to prove his worth as a Viking and a warrior. 

A perilous journey across the sea brings him into contact with a being out of myth and grants him a mysterious ring that promises both great power and bitter betrayal. 

As Geirmund rises in the ranks of King Guthrum’s legendary army, he will have to use all his cunning to face the many dangers of a land ravaged by war . . . 

Fighting alongside his band of loyal warriors, his path will soon lead him into a conflict as old as the gods themselves.

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

Athina

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Capturing the Devil (SJTR#4) by Kerri Maniscalco - A Review

 

“Beyond life, beyond death, my love for thee is eternal.”

Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco is the fourth book in the Stalking Jack the Ripper series. It is a YA Historical Fiction and Mystery book and it was released in September 2019.

This is the finale to the series and I loved how Kerri Maniscalco concluded her story. 

I really like Kerri's writing and I really enjoyed how she told this story and how she implemented al the twists and turns in the plot. 

The character development of Audrey Rose and Thomas was excellent and I liked how their stories have made them. This book made me love Thomas even more. He is perfect and I loved how his relationship with Audrey Rose evolved and how they come to trust each other completely. 

The ending of Capturing the Devil was everything that I wanted from this series. 

Rating: 5 Stars

About the book:

In the shocking finale to the bestselling series that began with Stalking Jack the Ripper, Audrey Rose and Thomas are on the hunt for the depraved, elusive killer known as the White City Devil. A deadly game of cat-and-mouse has them fighting to stay one step ahead of the brilliant serial killer---or see their fateful romance cut short by unspeakable tragedy.

Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell have landed in America, a bold, brash land unlike the genteel streets of London they knew. But like London, the city of Chicago hides its dark secrets well. When the two attend the spectacular World's Fair, they find the once-in-a-lifetime event tainted with reports of missing people and unsolved murders.

Determined to help, Audrey Rose and Thomas begin their investigations, only to find themselves facing a serial killer unlike any they've heard of before. Identifying him is one thing, but capturing him---and getting dangerously lost in the infamous Murder Hotel he constructed as a terrifying torture device---is another.

Will Audrey Rose and Thomas see their last mystery to the end---together and in love---or will their fortunes finally run out when their most depraved adversary makes one final, devastating kill?

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

Athina

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The Rightful Bearer (The Maiden Ship #3) by Micheline Ryckman - A Review

 

"Make peace with your past, lest it ruin your future."

The Rightful Bearer by Micheline Ryckman is the third book in The Maiden Ship series and it is a fantasy book that is releasing today May 30th.

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

Check out my reviews for the first two books : 

The Maiden Ship / The Lion of the Sea

This is the finale to The Maiden Ship trilogy and it was very satisfying to read. 

I really liked the whole storyline and I loved the author's writing style. I liked the world-building which is unique and I loved the magic system. 

The story wraps up beautifully and any questions you might had are answered. The character development is excellent and I cannot pick a favourite character as I loved them all. 

I am highly recommend checking out the whole trilogy.

Rating: 4 Stars

About the book:

Dain Alloway has been tasked with finding the rightful bearer and stopping the oncoming invasion of the four kingdoms. But as he begins the journey, self-doubt invades first, and he finds his confidence waning—Dain is no longer sure he’s the right person for this job. Who is he to challenge an emperor and his monstrous creations? Who is he to stop a war?

Meanwhile, Sable Cortham’s talent has grown, and every new lesson brings her another step closer to becoming one of the most powerful adept in history. But wielding this kind of magic makes Sable a target. She’s begun to wonder, even if they can find the rightful bearer and stop the emperor, how many more villains will come for her power? Will the four kingdoms ever be safe for the adept?

Elden Grayspire has recently been rescued from a centuries-old prison of stone, and while he rejoices in his newfound freedom, he laments the fact that his beloved remains a prisoner still. Mourning the loss of so many things past, feeling lonely and helpless, Elden struggles to find a place in this new time and era. As he embarks on a secret mission against the very man who cursed him long ago, will he finally discover a purpose and a way to belong?

The adventure concludes in The Rightful Bearer! Join Dain, Sable, Elden, and the rest of the Maiden Ship crew in this final seafaring adventure.

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

Athina

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The Atlas Six (The Atlas #1) by Olivie Blake - A Review

“Knowledge is carnage. You can’t have it without sacrifice.”

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake is a fantasy book and the first book in The Atlas series. The book was originally  published in January 2020 and was republished in March 2021 by Tor Books.

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. 

I like the story and the magic system. However, I found the writing a little bit dense at some points. 

It has a great cast of characters and my favourites are Libby, Tristan and Parisa. I found Reine indifferent and I didn't like Callum. 

The ending however was really intense. 

If you like dark academia and fantasy in a school setting, I believe you will like this book.

Rating: 4 Stars

About the book:

The Alexandrian Society is a secret society of magical academicians, the best in the world. Their members are caretakers of lost knowledge from the greatest civilizations of antiquity. And those who earn a place among their number will secure a life of wealth, power, and prestige beyond their wildest dreams. Each decade, the world’s six most uniquely talented magicians are selected for initiation – and here are the chosen few...

- Libby Rhodes and Nicolás Ferrer de Varona: inseparable enemies, cosmologists who can control matter with their minds.

- Reina Mori: a naturalist who can speak the language of life itself.

- Parisa Kamali: a mind reader whose powers of seduction are unmatched.

- Tristan Caine: the son of a crime kingpin who can see the secrets of the universe.

- Callum Nova: an insanely rich pretty boy who could bring about the end of the world. He need only ask.

When the candidates are recruited by the mysterious Atlas Blakely, they are told they must spend one year together to qualify for initiation. During this time, they will be permitted access to the Society’s archives and judged on their contributions to arcane areas of knowledge. Five, they are told, will be initiated. One will be eliminated. If they can prove themselves to be the best, they will survive. Most of them.

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

Athina 

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Gallant by V. E. Schwab - A Review

 

"Home is a choice"

Everything casts a shadow. Even the world we live in. And as with every shadow, there is a place where it must touch. A seam, where the shadow meets its source.

Gallant by V. E. Schwab is a YA Fantasy book and it is a standalone. It was published in March 2022 by Titan Books.

We follow Olivia Prior who has grown up in Merilance School for girls, and all she has of her past is her mother’s journal—which seems to unravel into madness. Then, a letter invites Olivia to come home—to Gallant. Yet when Olivia arrives, no one is expecting her. But Olivia is not about to leave the first place that feels like home, it doesn’t matter if her cousin Matthew is hostile or if she sees half-formed ghouls haunting the hallways.

Olivia knows that Gallant is hiding secrets, and she is determined to uncover them. When she crosses a ruined wall at just the right moment, Olivia finds herself in a place that is Gallant—but not. The manor is crumbling, the ghouls are solid, and a mysterious figure rules over all. Now Olivia sees what has unraveled generations of her family, and where her father may have come from. 

Olivia has always wanted to belong somewhere, but will she take her place as a Prior, protecting our world against the Master of the House? Or will she take her place beside him?

The last 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. Olivia, the main character, became very quickly my favourite and I really liked discovering the secrets of Gallant with her. 

The story was very gripping and I couldn't resist turning the pages. I was just swept away in this magical world. 

As we the other works of Schwab I loved her writing and how creative and imaginative she is. 

Rating: 5 Stars

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

Athina

 

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The Thief (The Queen's Thief #1) by Megan Whalen Turner - A Review

 

“A little danger adds spice to life.”

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner is a YA fantasy book and it is the first book in The Queen's Thief series. The book was first published in 1996 but this edition was published on May 5th 2022. 

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

I have heard many good things about the book and I couldn't pass reading it when I had the opportunity. 

I really liked it. It is a more traditional fantasy and I really liked the author's writing and the storyline. It also had a really good plot twist. I found the main character really interesting and I enjoyed reading his story. I loved the world and I am eager to learn more about it in the next book.

Rating: 4 Stars

About the book:

The king’s scholar, the magus, believes he knows the site of an ancient treasure. To attain it for his king, he needs a skillful thief, and he selects Gen from the king’s prison. The magus is interested only in the thief’s abilities. What Gen is interested in is anyone’s guess. Their journey toward the treasure is both dangerous and difficult, lightened only imperceptibly by the tales they tell of the old gods and goddesses.

Eugenides, the queen's thief, can steal anything - or so he says. Then his boasting lands him in the king's prison, and his chances of escape look slim.

So when the king's magus invites him on a seemingly impossible quest to steal a legendary object and win back his freedom, Gen is in no position to refuse.

The magus has plans for his king and his country. Gen has plans of his own . . .

Megan Whalen Turner weaves Gen’s stories and Gen’s story together with style and verve in a novel that is filled with intrigue, adventure, and surprise.

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

Athina

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The Sylvan and the Sand by Sarah M. Cradit - A Review

 

"Marry your enemy. Dare to Survive"

The Sylvan and the Sand by Sarah M. Cradit is the second book in The Book of All Things series and is it a fantasy romance book. The book can be read as a standalone. It was released on May 10th.

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

Purchase The Sylvan and the Sand here

Add the series to your Goodreads TBR : Book 1 /  Book 2

This is the second book that I read from Sarah M. Cradit and I really liked it. It has my favourite enemies to lovers trope and I really love the characters and the storyline. I really like Sarah's writing style and the world building is really good. 

Yesenia is a great female character. She is fierce and smart and always speaks her mind despite the consequences. Corin is a cinnamon roll but he is also determined to help others and his character complements Yesenia's. I loved the slow burned romance between them. How they became close to each other and embraced their feelings.

Rating: 4 Stars

TITLE: The Sylvan and the Sand

SERIES TITLE: The Book of All Things, Book 2

GENRE: NA Fantasy Romance (Enemies to Lovers, Arranged Marriage Tropes)

STEAM LEVEL: Medium

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Violence, Bullying

About the book:

Yesenia Warwick artfully dodges her father’s talks of marriage, set on proving she is just as capable as her brothers. Her three loves—kin, homeland, and independence—are all she needs.

Corin Quinlanden suffers under the cruel contempt of his ruthless father and brother as they scheme and plot from their castle in the trees. He’s given up wishing for happiness. A strategic marriage, far from home, is as high as he dare dream.

But the king of this realm has his own plan.

Everything the gilded Quinlandens have “earned” was stolen from the Warwicks. So when all the leaders of the realm are summoned to a celebration with the king, both houses approach this fete balancing on a sharp blade’s edge.

But the king’s celebration quickly turns to horror. The lords and ladies can only watch, helpless, as the devious king masterminds a series of marriages between their children, spinning the kingdom into chaos.

Brash, fearless Yesenia Warwick is now the unwilling bride of tender-hearted Corin Quinlanden. Neither her silver-tongued wit, nor her unmatched skill with daggers, can erase what has been done.

The choice ahead of her is simple, but impossible.

Embrace her dangerous new life in the den of her enemy, or send the kingdom to war.

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

There is a giveaway running until May 19th 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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The Hunger of the Gods (Bloodsworn Saga #2) by John Gwynne - A Review

 

“Real courage is to feel fear, but to stand and face it, not run from it.”

The Hunger of the Gods by John Gwynne is the second book in the Bloodsworn Saga and it is an adult fantasy book inspired by Norse Mythology. The book was released on April 2022 by Orbit.

Now that Lik-Rifa, the dragon god of legend, has been freed from her eternal prison,  she plots a new age of blood and conquest.

As Orka continues the hunt for her missing son, the Bloodsworn sweep south in a desperate race to save one of their own – and Varg takes the first steps on the path of vengeance. 

Elvar has sworn to fulfil her blood oath and rescue a prisoner from the clutches of Lik-Rifa and her dragonborn followers, but first she must persuade the Battle-Grim to follow her. 

Yet even the might of the Bloodsworn and Battle-Grim cannot stand alone against a dragon god. 

Their hope lies within the mad writings of a chained god. A book of forbidden magic with the power to raise the wolf god Ulfrir from the dead . . . and bring about a battle that will shake the foundations of the earth.

John Gwynne has become one of my favourite authors after reading The Hunger of the Gods and now I need to read all of his backlist.

First of all,  I loved the cover art for this book too and second I really appreciated the fact that the author included a brief summary of what happened in book 1 so you can refresh your memory. 

Let's get to my review now. I loved this book too. We now have more POVs to follow besides Orka, Elvar and Varg but that didn't cause any problem but they added more to the story. The new POVs are Biorr and Gudvarr.

The story begins from where we have left it in The Shadow of the Gods and now the storylines of our main characters are interconnected. The book continues to be brutal and with many battle scenes. 

In this book I loved even more Orka's character and I really liked the relationship dynamics between her and the supporting characters. 

The ending was really intense and now I need book 3 asap.

Rating: 5 Stars

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

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

Athina

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