Tag Archives: Epic Fantasy

Shadows of the Lost by Maxym M. Martineau – a Review

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Shadows of the Lost by Maxym M. Martineau – a Review

 

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Description:
Once I was a Charmer, and the magical beasts of this world loved me. Now I’m something else. Something darker.

As a member of the Charmers Council, Gaige is able to form lasting bonds with the magical beasts of his world. At least, he used to be a Charmer…until he died and was brought back as one of the immortal assassins of Cruor. Now he’s far more dangerous.

…and something beyond the shadows lies in wait, hungry to claim him for its own.

As leader of the assassins, all Kost can do is watch as Gaige struggles with his new life day by day. He wants nothing more than to ease Gaige’s suffering–yet how can he when they both know he’s the one responsible? There is nothing left but bitter memories and hopeless longing between them. Yet when Gaige is lost to the shadow realm, Kost is the only one with any chance of bringing him back: if they can learn to trust (and perhaps love) each other again.

 

 

Review:

Shadows of the Lost by Maxym M. Martineau is the 1st book in her Guild of Night series. This series is a spinoff of Martineau’s wonderful Beast Charmer series.   Shadows of the Lost focuses on Kost and Gaige, with Oz and Caleb and many of our favorite characters playing big parts in this story.  

Gaige was a Beast Charmer, taming magical beasts, who loved him; but he died, and was brought back as one of the immortal assassins of Cruor.  Kost, is the leader of the assassins, and he sees how Gaige is struggling to handle the shadows; together with Oz and Caleb, they try to train Gaige. Though it’s been many years, Kost still has feelings for Gaige (LGBTQ), and now that he is an Undead, he finds it difficult to resist him.   Gaige fights off his nightmares with the shadows, and soon realizes there is something pulling him into those dreams.  When Gaige tells the others that it is not his shadows that is creating havoc with the beasts all over; Kost agrees there is something more dangerous. .  Leena (great to see her again) helped Gaige to be able to be with the Beasts he loved. In a short time, both Gaige and Kost succumb to their feelings, as their emotions and love proved how good they were together

When Gaige disappears, the whole team, Ozais, Caleb, Kaori, Isla, Raven realize that a very powerful old mage has taken Gaige. Kost, Ozais, Caleb and Isla enter the Shadow Realm to find and save Gaige.

What follows is an exciting, intense, action-packed adventure to find the evil mage. The villain in this story was extremely powerful, taking control of minds and absorbing them. The battles to fight were intense and intriguing, and as we raced to the climax; we were on the edge of our seat to see who will survive.  To say too much more would be spoilers, and you need to read this book in its entirety. I loved seeing so many characters from the previous series, including Noc and Leena; as well as the Beasts that we loved.

Shadows of the Lost was an amazing and epic high fantasy, wonderful romance, great characters, and mythical beasts.  This was a tale of love, danger, courage, dark shadows, monsters, camaraderie, with wonderful world building.  Maxym M. Martineau has once again given us a fantastic start to this new series, which was so very well written.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence – a Review

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The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence – a Review

 

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Description:
A boy has lived his whole life trapped within a vast library, older than empires and larger than cities.

A girl has spent hers in a tiny settlement out on the Dust where nightmares stalk and no one goes.

The world has never even noticed them. That’s about to change.

Their stories spiral around each other, across worlds and time. This is a tale of truth and lies and hearts, and the blurring of one into another. A journey on which knowledge erodes certainty, and on which, though the pen may be mightier than the sword, blood will be spilled and cities burned.

 

 

Review:

The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence is the first book in his new The Library Trilogy. Lawrence creates a series revolving around a library, with a record for every book and places they are ruled to live; filled with knowledge, as well as truths and lies.

This story follows two main characters, a young girl, Livera, who lived in the Dust, and soldiers saved her and other young children’s after an attack by Sabbers (enemies); a young man, Evar, trapped in an isolated huge chamber within an ancient library that has many chambers.

As the years pass, Livera, who is fiery and passionate, constantly asks questions to increase her knowledge, as she finds books that allow her to learn more about the library. Livera, coming from the dust, is not respected by many on the council, as well as the king, but her amazing abilities that she has discovered, allows her to find things no one else can.  Evar is the calm one between his brother and sister, who are more violent than him.  During his constant traveling to find a way out, he meets a young girl (livera), whom they spent time together, and when a few years pass, he runs into her again. That seems to be the pattern, with Evar meeting up with Livera every few years, and now she is around 20.  Together they will explore all facets of the library and the various chambers.  We know that Livera and Evar became close, even with the many missing years, but together they were able to explore so much of the library, trying to find a way out.  Malar was one of the great characters, as he was the soldier to saved Livera, and over the years, he became her protector when necessary.  There were many very good characters between Livera and her friends, as well as Evar and his family.

This is a difficult review to write, as the whole concept was about books to reveal secrets, knowledge, freedom, and the first half of the book was very slow.  It does pick up in the latter part of the story, though a lot did remain somewhat confusing, but many things do fall into place closer to the end. 

The Book That Wouldn’t Burn was a different kind of fantasy, set in a huge immense library, with many chambers, with those who were trapped inside. The library had its own mechanism, with protectors of history, and the power of knowledge from those special books. The overall theme is knowledge, power, responsibility and war.  The Book that Wouldn’t Burn was a complex and intriguing story line that was well written by Mark Lawrence. However, I will note that I have loved a number of series by Lawrence, and this book was a bit slow for a big part of the book, but it was an exciting end. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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Conquer the Kingdom by Jennifer Estep – Dual Review & Giveaway

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?⚔️Conquer the Kingdom by Jennifer Estep – Dual Review & Giveaway?⚔️

 

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Description:
Time is running out for crown princess Gemma Ripley. Despite being a cunning spy and a powerful mind magier, Gemma hasn’t been able to track down the most dangerous enemy her kingdom of Andvari has ever seen. Adding to her worries is the Sword and Shield tournament. With gladiators flocking to the capital city of Glanzen, Gemma can’t tell who is friend–or foe.

Determined to protect Andvari at any cost, Gemma hatches a bold plan, but things aren’t what they seem. Soon, everything she holds dear is being threatened, including her burgeoning relationship with Prince Leonidas Morricone.

With the kingdom she holds dear slipping through her fingers, Gemma will have to conquer her fear and unlock the true secret of her magic–or watch her friends and family die and her beloved Andvari fall . . .

 

 

Barb’s Review:
Conquer the Kingdom by Jennifer Estep is the 3rd and final book in her Gargoyle Queen trilogy. I am a big fan of Jennifer Estep, and I couldn’t wait for Conquer the Kingdom; I am happy to say I loved this series.  I hope there will be more to come from this world.

Gemma and her best friend continue to spy undercover, to search for Milo, her enemy, and find out what his evil plans are to destroy her Kingdom (Andvari).  Gemma makes plans for a Sword and Shield tournament, with gladiators from all over attending in Glanzen.  She even invited Maeven and those from Morta to participate in the tournament; in hopes of trapping Milo, who is determined destroy everyone and take over all kingdoms, including Morta .  Gemma continues to master her mind magier powers, and worrying about keeping everyone safe.

I loved seeing Leo and Gemma together, as they made such a great couple, even if the people in Andvari hated all the Mortans. I also really liked Delmira (Leo’s sister), as she was so great in helping Gemma.  It was also fun to see the Gargoyles and Strix, and I love Grimley, who has always been with Gemma since childhood. The baby Strix, Violet was cute, and I did like Lyra. We learn about why Maeven calls her the Gargoyle Queen. We also got to learn more about her mother, as she saw flasdhbacks of the past.

What follows is an exciting, tense, wild last half of the book that had me on the edge of my seat.  Gemma was an amazing heroine, and her powers became ultra-powerful, which saved her life a number of times.  The wild crazy climax was a thrill a minute, with all their lives in danger and me holding my breath to see if she would survive. At one point near the end, with her life on the line, Gemma rises up with help from her loyal Gargoyles/Strix and friends. 

Conquer the Kingdom was a fantastic finale, with so much magic, mystery, suspense, excitement, action, danger, with lives on the line, and a couple we rooted hard for. To say too much more would be spoilers, as you need to read it from start to finish. Conquer the Kingdom was so very well written by Jennifer Estep, which is no surprise, as I love all her books. I do hope Jennifer will come back to this world.  If you enjoy fantasy, you need to start reading the Gargoyle Queen series, which you should start with the first book, Capture the Crown.

•••••••••••

Sandy’s Review:

CONQUER THE KINGDOM is the third and (final ?) instalment in Jennifer Estep’s adult, GARGOYLE QUEEN dystopian, fantasy series, a spin off from the author’s CROWN OF SHARDS series. The Gargoyle Queen trilogy focuses on the secondary characters originally introduced in the Crown of Shards series. This is twenty-nine year old, Andvari Princess Gemma Ripley, and Mortan Prince Leonidis Morricone’s story line. CONQUER THE KINGDOM should not be read as a stand alone as some of the events in the current time line are as of a direct result of the events in book two TEAR DOWN THE THRONE but the author does recap some of the history and background using memories and reflections.

SOME BACKGROUND: Sixteen years earlier, Gemma Ripley lost everything including the ability to control her magic the day Queen Maeven declared war on her family, killing her mother, and destroying her heart in the process. As Gemma’s ‘mind magic’ becomes more powerful than she could have ever imagined, our heroine struggles to forgive and forget, knowing she will one day have to destroy the people who destroyed her life, including the man that she loves.

NOTE: If you have not read books one or two, there may be spoilers in my review.

Told from first person perspective (Gemma) CONQUER THE KINGDOM focuses on the preparations for, and the events of the upcoming Sword and Shield Gladiator tournament in Glitner, Gemma’s home town and the Andvari Kingdom but Gemma is wary having invited Queen Maeven, with the knowledge, her son Crown Prince Milo will make an appearance in the wake of his numerous attempts to kill our story line heroine. Prince Milo has set his sights on Gemma; he wants to take control of Andvari, destroying everything and everyone who stands in his way. Gemma is the ultimate prize, the most powerful wielder of magic, and in this, Milo is determined to take down the princess by first conquering the land but Gemma has an ally and lover in Milo’s brother Prince Leonidis aka Leo, an ally who battles between head and heart knowing Gemma will take no prisoners, meaning Leo’s brother and his mother are Gemma’s primary targets. As the Gladiator games commence, Milo is amassing an army, securing help and power from an unlikely source.

The relationship between Gemma and Leo continues to struggle in the face of Gemma’s need for vengeance, including stopping Leo’s mother, and destroying Crown Prince Milo. Leo battles between head and heart knowing the pain his mother and brother had previously inflicted upon himself and upon Princess Gemma but Maeven is still Leo’s mother, and in this, Leo must choose between the woman he loves, and the woman who gave him life. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

Once again, for fans and followers of Estep’s books and series, there are many similarities to the author’s ELEMENTAL ASSASSIN story lines including the tragic death of the mothers at the hands of the ultimate evil; the use of ‘elemental’ magic, specialty stones and gems, and the odd assortment of friends and creatures with different levels of power including gargoyles and colorful bird like creatures called strixes. And you can’t help but notice the comparisons between the requisite evil including the similarities in names and powers (Maeven Morricone/ Milos Morricone- Mab Monroe/M.M Madeline Monroe-Gemma/Gin).The fast paced, action packed scenes, and the violence perpetrated against our story line heroine are also reminiscent of the aforementioned series in that Gemma Ripley and Gin Blanco are two powerful females who are targeted for who they are, and what they do, and in this suffer as they struggle to protect the people they love.

And not to sound like a broken record, as per my previous reviews, there continues to be a redundancy and overwhelming use of the words purple (79 times) and violet (62 times) pertaining to the Mortan Kingdom’s Royal colors, eye color, the name of a baby strix, and their world as a whole.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, magical and powerful secondary and supporting characters. We are reintroduced to spy and dragon morph Reiko Yamato, Gladiator Kai; gem worker and jeweller Alvis; Gemma’s grandfather King Heinrich, her father Crown Prince Dominic, and his wife Rhea Hans; gargoyles Grimley (Gemma’s familiar), Fern and Otto, and strixes Lyra (Leo’s familiar) and baby Violet; Leo and Milo’s mother Queen Maeven, as well as their sister Delmira, and Milo’s right hand man Captain Wexel. The requisite evil has many faces.

CONQUER THE QUEEN is a story of madness and vengeance, greed, power and control, misunderstanding and mistrust, acceptance and love. CONQUER THE QUEEN reveals the prophecy of three queens, and so far, we have focused on two: Everleigh (Crown of Shards), and Gemma (Gargoyle Queen), and the third queen has been revealed for the author’s next series. The premise is captivating, engaging and energizing; the romance is subtle and seductive; the characters are energetic, dynamic and charismatic. Jennifer Estep is a master at story telling.

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The Queen’s Price by Anne Bishop – Review & Giveaway

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The Queen’s Price by Anne Bishop – Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
The Queen’s price is to stand against what you know is wrong. To stand and fight, no matter the cost to your court or to yourself. Especially to yourself.

Zoey, a young Queen-in-training at SaDiablo Hall, is wounded…and vulnerable to taunts and criticism. When an opportunity arises to befriend a stranger seeking sanctuary at the Hall, she puts herself and others in danger by ignoring Daemonar Yaslana’s warning to back off.

Meanwhile, the witch Jillian’s family prepares for her Virgin Night, the rite of passage that assures a woman will retain her power and her Jewels. The trouble is Jillian secretly went through the ceremony already. Now she has to explain the omission of that detail to her powerful and lethal family. And the High Lord of Hell’s daughter, Saetien, travels to Scelt to find out about Jaenelle Angelline’s sister–and perhaps to discover truths about herself.

With some guidance from Witch, these three young women will learn when to yield because it is right–and when to take a stand, even if they must pay the Queen’s price.

 

 

Review:

The Queen’s Price by Anne Bishop is the 12th book in her fantastic Black Jewels series. I am a huge fan of Anne Bishop, as I have read all her series.  Black Jewels has always been one of my favorite all time series, and every time Anne gives us a new book, I cannot wait to savor it.  The Queen’s Price was a fantastic read, I could not put the book down, as this was a masterpiece.

The Queen’s Price focuses on Daemon & Surreal’s daughter, Saetien’s for a major part of the story, with the rest of the story centering on the training at SaDiablo Hall. Daemon, Lucifier and staff offer training for young Queens, Black Widows, as well as the boys who would be part of the first circle courts.

I did not like Saetien in the previous book, even at the start of this book, as she was not likeable and deserved her punishment from the previous book, but in the last half of the book I did begin to like her. She went to Scelt on a heart quest to learn more about Jaenelle’s sister and discover truths about herself.  As Saetien meets Prince Butler, he will teach her the truths about the past, and along the way she begins to change.  I loved the past stories, as we learn more and more about Jaenelle, the purge, and her terrible recovery.

Zoey is considered one the best young Queens, and very close to Titian; when someone new comes to the hall, she over steps herself, not listening to those in control, such as Daemonar.  After Zoey is reprimanded, she loses her confidence, and begins to struggle; not to mention a separate group of Queens, who do not like Zoey, were mean, jealous and manipulative to her.  Zoey’s group of friends, such as Titian, Jhett, Kathleen, Grizande, were all loyal and great friends.  Zoey will need to step up and convince the Queens that they need to pay the price, required by Jaenelle.

I also got a kick of Jillian facing Virgin Night, and Brenda’s help explaining things…this was funny.  I also enjoyed seeing Surreal, who continues to be Daemon’s second hand.  Karla once again was fun in her short appearance; and loved spending time with Jaenelle (Witch), which was always great.    

The entire book was fantastic, exciting, intense, dangerous, with heartwarming moments that do not allow you to put the book down, as you become totally enthralled.  I will say I absolutely loved seeing our favorites Daemon, Lucivar, Surreal, Daemonar, Marion, Karla and of course, my favorite heroine, Jaenelle.  And as always, I love the Kindred.

Anne Bishop not only creates such wonderful leading characters; her secondary characters continue to be to be equally memorable. Black Jewels has always been one of my top favorites, especially all those people we loved, and Anne Bishop continues to bring joy to our lives with these fantastic characters. The Queen’s Price was another masterpiece from Anne Bishop.   I want more.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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Queen of Myth and Monsters by Scarlett St. Clair – a Review

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Queen of Myth and Monsters by Scarlett St. Clair – a Review

 

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Description:
Isolde, newly coronated queen, has finally found a king worthy of her in the vampire Adrian. But their love for each other has cost Isolde her father and her homeland. With two opposing goddesses playing mortals and vampires like chess pieces against one another, Isolde is uncertain who her allies are in the vampire stronghold of Revekka.

Now, as politics in the Red Palace grow more underhanded and a deadly blood mist threatens all of Cordova, Isolde must trust in the bond she’s formed with Adrian, even as she learns troubling information about his complicated past.

 

Review:

Queen of Myth and Monsters by Scarlett St. Clair is the 2nd book in her Adrian X Isolde series.  The story picks up after King of Battle & Blood, as we return to Cordova, and learning more about Isolde and Adrian; with more heartbreak, steamy romance and betrayal.

Isolde is now the Queen, married to King Adrian, with both learning to rule the kingdom together. Their love for each other continues to grow, even with occasional bickering between them; the chemistry between them was sizzling hot lust for each other and insatiable. 

Things become dangerous, as attacks cause worry and dissension among the people, who blame either Adrian or Isolde.  With a traitor still missing, and a witch determined to destroy Revekka and destroy Adrian; Isolde must learn more about the past to move forward. During a spell to help find the witch, one of the main characters is killed, another is unconscious, and Isolde is seriously injured; with decisions made to change her to a Vampire.  Isolde will find that she can shift, which will increase her powers to help join Adrian to fight for their kingdom.  There were a few surprising twists, with two people who were close to them, being traitors.

What follows is an exciting intense adventure, that will pit Adrian and Isolde against the people of Revekka, as well as Isolde determined to go back to Lara and reclaim the throne.  I loved Isolde, as she was a strong fearless badass heroine, who stood up to anyone.  I also loved Adrian, as he loved Isolde, and was patient in waiting for her to discover the truths of the past.

In the last third of the book, everything escalates, including surprises and twists, especially the two traitors. Queen of Myth and Monsters was filled with action, danger, betrayal, revenge, as well as a wild and sexy steamy erotic romance. This was very well written by Scarlett St. Clair, and if you enjoy fantasy, vampires, you should be reading this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross – a Review

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A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross – a Review

 

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Description:
East and West. Humans and Spirits. Breccans and Tamerlaines. The Isle of Cadence has always held itself and its residents in a tenuous balance. But now Bane, the spirit of the North Wind, has pushed everyone and everything in his path off-kilter in a bid to claim dominion over all.

In the West, Adaira struggles to adjust to the more brutal, bitter ways of life among the Breccans. Striving to find her place in the clan, she swiftly realizes that it just might be the last role she desires to hold. And while magic blooms effortlessly for the Breccans in the west, the spirits continue to suffer beneath Bane’s harsh power, felt in every gust of wind.

In the East, Jack is adrift without Adaira until he sings to the ember-weak fire spirits, acquiring a dangerous mission he never expected. One that is destined to lead him westward. Likewise, Torin and Sidra are consumed by a new mystery as sickness spreads first amongst the crops, and then to the people of the Tamerlaine clan. While Sidra desperately searches for a cure, Torin dares to strike a bargain with the spirits—a precarious folly anytime, but especially now as the days grow darker.

With the island falling further out of balance, humans and spirits alike will need to join together to face Bane, and Jack’s gift with the harp will be called upon once more. Yet no one can challenge the North Wind without paying a terrible price, and the sacrifice required this time may be more than Jack, Adaira, Torin, and Sidra can bear to pay.

In the stunning conclusion to the Elements of Cadence duology, A Fire Endless finds the delicate balance between the human and faerie realm threatened by Bane, the spirit of the North Wind, whose defeat can only come through fire, song, and heart-rending sacrifice.

 

 

Review:

A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross is the final book in her wonderful Elements of Cadence duology.  I have become a fan of Rebecca Ross’s wonderful fantasy novels. A Fire Endless picks up where the first book left off. Adaira is now in the West, trying to adjust to a more difficult life, as well as learn more about her true family (Breccans), her mother, Innes being the laird of the West and her father David. She misses her husband, Jack, who was left in the East, since being a bard, he cannot play music in the West.

In the East, Jack misses Adaira, but is determined to use his harp, to sing to the spirits, who suffer from King Bane’s nasty powers, bringing severe sickness to crops and people. The blight continues to grow, and Sidra, the healer in Tamerlaine, becomes infected, trying desperately to find a cure. Torin, the Laird of the East, finds himself approached by a spirit, who needs him to solve a puzzle, which would help save the land.  He is then stuck in the spirit realm, trying to search for the clues, to free himself, and stop the blight; with him being unable to see anyone in the mortal world, including his wife, Sidra and daughter, Maisie. 

Adaira slowly begins to learn more about her parents, and the world within the Breccan clan; but she also tries to change the way things are being done, especially the culling.  In a short time, Jack, will decide to join Adaira in the West, since he wants to be with his wife, and willing to give up his music.  It was a dangerous journey for Jack, as some evil Breccans threatened his life, with Adaira coming to his rescue.  Very exciting.  I loved Jack and Adaira together, as they were a fantastic couple.

With both the East and West beginning to suffer the terrible consequences of Bane’s rule, they will need to find a way to bring both sides together, as well as the spirits, who also suffer from Bane’s horror. Each of them (Adaira, Jack, Sidra and Torin) have their own difficult arcs, as we spend time with each of them in their compelling journeys.  Jack’s gift of music will bring Bane to destroy the spirits, more blight and stop the Bard. Will Jack survive?

What follows was an amazing, fantastic adventure in a world filled with magic, spirits, enemies, betrayals and romance.  There are some surprising twists, that will eventually force the two clans to join together to save the Isle of Cadenc.  Adaira, continues to be a fantastic heroine, as she was strong independent, determined, savvy and fierce. I loved Jack, Sidra and Torin, who played major parts in this story. 

A Fire Endless was a wonderful, captivating, unique story filled with spirits, magic and folklore.   To say too much more would ruin it for you, as you really do need to read this fantastic finale.  Rebecca Ross once again gives us a wonderful fantasy, with great characters and keeping me enthralled from start to finish.  If you have not read this duology, I suggest you start with A River Enchanted, then read A Fire Endless.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan – a Review

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Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan – a Review

 

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Description:
After winning her mother’s freedom from the Celestial Emperor, Xingyin thrives in the enchanting tranquility of her home. But her fragile peace is threatened by the discovery of a strange magic on the moon and the unsettling changes in the Celestial Kingdom as the emperor tightens his grip on power. While Xingyin is determined to keep clear of the rising danger, the discovery of a shocking truth spurs her into a perilous confrontation.

Forced to flee her home once more, Xingyin and her companions venture to unexplored lands of the Immortal Realm, encountering legendary creatures and shrewd monarchs, beloved friends and bitter adversaries. With alliances shifting quicker than the tides, Xingyin has to overcome past grudges and enmities to forge a new path forward, seeking aid where she never imagined she would. As an unspeakable terror sweeps across the realm, Xingyin must uncover the truth of her heart and claw her way through devastation–to rise against this evil before it destroys everything she holds dear, and the worlds she has grown to love… even if doing so demands the greatest price of all.

 

Description:

Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan is the 2nd book in her Celestial Kingdom Duology. Heart of the Sun Warrior starts a year later from where it left off in the first book.  Xingyin has recovered from her injuries, and is happy to have returned home with her mother (now free) on the Moon.  The love triangle between Xingyin-Liwei- Wenzhi continues to escalate, especially when Liwei visits her on the Moon often, and Wenzhi is determined to prove that he loves her, and learned from his previous wrongdoings.  To Xingyin’s shock, she learns that her father is still alive, though in the mortal realm; but he returns to the Moon to see C’hang and Xingyin.  Her peaceful time is shortened, as a new threat to the realm has been discovered, threatening all of immortal and mortal realms. 

Xingyin is forced to leave her home again, when her mother was sent to prison, and Xingyin must find a way to save her.  The Celestial Emperor has been overcome by evil, and the throne is now been usurped by the terrible Wugang, who is now in charge.  Xingyin and her companions, which include, Liwei, Wenzhi, her father, and others to convince other realms to join the fight and save the world. 

What follows is an exciting, tense, emotional, action filled attempt to stop an evil being and his army of death. There is so much going on in the last third of the book, as I held my breath as to who will survive, against the devastation of terror that threatens the realms.  To say too much more would be spoilers and you really need to read this without me spoiling it for you. I did enjoy Xingyin’s feelings toward both Liwei and Wenzhi, but the love triangle was somewhat bittersweet.  

Heart of the Sun Warrior was a fantastic duology with an amazing conclusion. The Celestial Kingdom was a excellent high fantasy that was set in Asian mythology, with a wonderful heroine, and great secondary characters, villains, excellent world building and action-packed adventures. Sue Lynn Tan wrote a magnificent, intriguing, captivating story, which was so very well written.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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The Liar’s Crown by Abigail Owen – a Review

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The Liar’s Crown by Abigail Owen – a Review

 

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Description:
Some shadows protect you…others will kill you in this dazzling new fantasy series from award-winning author Abigail Owen.

Everything about my life is a lie. As a hidden twin princess, born second, I have only one purpose—to sacrifice my life for my sister if death comes for her. I’ve been living under the guise of a poor, obscure girl of no standing, slipping into the palace and into the role of the true princess when danger is present.

Now the queen is dead and the ageless King Eidolon has sent my sister a gift—an eerily familiar gift—and a proposal to wed. I don’t trust him, so I do what I was born to do and secretly take her place on the eve of the coronation. Which is why, when a figure made of shadow kidnaps the new queen, he gets me by mistake.

As I try to escape, all the lies start to unravel. And not just my lies. The Shadowraith who took me has secrets of his own. He struggles to contain the shadows he wields—other faces, identities that threaten my very life.

Winter is at the walls. Darkness is looming. And the only way to save my sister and our dominion is to kill Eidolon…and the Shadowraith who has stolen my heart.

Enemies to lovers ✔️
Kidnapping ✔️
Magic ✔️
Adventure ✔️
Secrets ✔️

 

 

Review :

The Liar’s Crown by Abigail Owen is a standalone YA Fantasy.  There are a few triggers, so read the warnings.  As soon as I see this author has a new book, I’m there. The cover is gorgeous (I’m thinking I might need a paperback for my shelves) ? Abigail Owen knows how to write paranormal romance (please look at her Inferno Rising/Fire’s Edge series).  Balancing the plot and romance is always tricky. Writing for a YA (Young Adult) audience when a lot of your books aren’t YA takes skill. So enough about the author, let’s get down to the book…..

Meren is a twin (the younger one) and as tradition states her life is to be in the shadows, she’s there to protect her sibling (if danger arises Meren is expected to sacrifice herself!) so her confidence in herself is nonexistent, she chafes at her role in life, but there isn’t anything she can do about it….

But Meren does escape the Ivory tower she’s locked away in (to Meren it’s more like a dungeon.) She wanders the streets at night whilst wearing different disguises.

The plot is skilfully layered with twists/turns and OMG moments…. As you read the book, things become clearer and a few things make sense. The descriptions in this book place you right in the moment, you can smell the streets that Meren visits, you can see the grandeur of the palace, and you witness King Eidolon’s sickness/madness.

King Eidolon is after Meren’s sister Tabra, so she does the job she was born to do, she stands in her place, and becomes King Eidolon’s bride! (I wouldn’t trust this guy an inch) But before the wedding takes place, Meren is kidnapped!!

Reven is a complex character, essentially good, but his secret makes him reluctant to be actually good?! His character has plenty of conflicting emotions and motivations. And he certainly gets more than he bargained for when he kidnaps the wrong princess!!

And then we have Cain ? and in the world’s I read why can’t she have both ??

The characters have a hard time trusting one another as they travel through this story. Kidnappers are usually nice people, so when does the kidnapper become protector? (You’ll need to read the book?)

Can Meren save her sister from the clutches of Eidolon? Can she figure out what Eidolon really wants? Can she be the hero in this story? And can I get the next book please.

I wouldn’t say it’s a cliffhanger ending, but it does leave us and the characters wondering where this will take us next…..

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for review

 

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