Title: Kingdom of AshAuthor: Sarah J. Maas
Page Count: 980
Rating: A+++++
Format Read: Hardcover
Genre: YA Fantasy
Keywords: War, Fae, Gods
Kid Appropriate: Teen
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Years in the making, Sarah J. Maas’s #1 New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series draws to an epic, unforgettable conclusion. Aelin Galathynius’s journey from slave to king’s assassin to the queen of a once-great kingdom reaches its heart-rending finale as war erupts across her world. . .
Aelin has risked everything to save her people―but at a tremendous cost. Locked within an iron coffin by the Queen of the Fae, Aelin must draw upon her fiery will as she endures months of torture. Aware that yielding to Maeve will doom those she loves keeps her from breaking, though her resolve begins to unravel with each passing day…
With Aelin captured, Aedion and Lysandra remain the last line of defense to protect Terrasen from utter destruction. Yet they soon realize that the many allies they’ve gathered to battle Erawan’s hordes might not be enough to save them. Scattered across the continent and racing against time, Chaol, Manon, and Dorian are forced to forge their own paths to meet their fates. Hanging in the balance is any hope of salvation―and a better world.
And across the sea, his companions unwavering beside him, Rowan hunts to find his captured wife and queen―before she is lost to him forever.
As the threads of fate weave together at last, all must fight, if they are to have a chance at a future. Some bonds will grow even deeper, while others will be severed forever in the explosive final chapter of the Throne of Glass series.
My Review:
I have never been so satisfied with a book finale! Sarah J. Maas has written a masterpiece that hits every note absolutely perfectly ranging from the despair of war, hope of found love, and courage in the face of fear.
The first half of this book is incredibly tense, slowly building the anxiety of whether or not our favorite characters will survive what seems like certain doom. And the entire time I was terrified that this finale would end similarly to Breaking Dawn in which there is a great deal of build up for a lackluster ending. There is no need to worry in this regard. The war is grittier than I had expected and a great balance of fear and hope that does not lean too far in either direction. There is a level of reality often missing from other fantasy war scenes in YA.
This installment in the Throne of Glass series proved to me that this series is not simply what many book skeptics sneer at when they say something is only YA, meaning it is not as grand as the adult side of the bookstore's high fantasy section. As a fan of both genres, this is absolutely in my top three fantasy series of all times.
Some readers skipped Tower of Dawn, what was originally supposed to be a novella following Chaol, and intend to jump straight into Kingdom of Ash following Empire of Storms. I absolutely do not recommend this! Tower of Dawn happens concurrently with Empire of Storms and is basically book six in this series. If you skip it there will be an entire component of the army from the Southern Continent that joins the battle you will have no background on. Even the magic systems of that kingdom are different from what we are familiar with following Aelin's crew. And if neither of these aspects entice you, there are a many new characters that we see in Kingdom of Ash that you will only know if you read Tower of Dawn.
Overall, I cherish this book far more than I could have anticipated and cannot believe the growth of this series from book one to book seven.
I hope you give this one a chance and if you have already read this amazing book, check back in to see more of my spoiler filled discussions coming up in the coming weeks!
Click here for my expanded review on the romances filling the pages of the series!
Title: The Burning Sky
Author: Sherry Thomas
Page Count: 449
Rating: B
Format Read: Audiobook
Genre: YA Fantasy
Keywords: Warlocks, Elemental Magic, Prophecy
Kid Appropriate: Teen and older
Synopsis from Goodreads:
It all began with a ruined elixir and a bolt of lightning.
Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's been told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the most powerful tyrant and mage the world has ever known. This would be a suicide task for anyone, let alone a reluctant sixteen-year-old girl with no training.
Guided by his mother's visions and committed to avenging his family, Prince Titus has sworn to protect Iolanthe even as he prepares her for their battle with the Bane. But he makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the tyrant closing in, Titus must choose between his mission—and her life.
The Burning Sky—the first book in the Elemental Trilogy—is an electrifying and unforgettable novel of intrigue and adventure.
Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's been told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the most powerful tyrant and mage the world has ever known. This would be a suicide task for anyone, let alone a reluctant sixteen-year-old girl with no training.
Guided by his mother's visions and committed to avenging his family, Prince Titus has sworn to protect Iolanthe even as he prepares her for their battle with the Bane. But he makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the tyrant closing in, Titus must choose between his mission—and her life.
The Burning Sky—the first book in the Elemental Trilogy—is an electrifying and unforgettable novel of intrigue and adventure.
My Review:
This was honestly a book I wasn't expecting anything from. I got it for a couple of dollars during an Audible sale earlier this year. It ended up being a fun, witty adventure story with a bit of a romance thrown in. Check this out if you are looking for a unique YA fantasy mixed with mages and Victorian England.
Title: Empire of Sand
Author: Tasha Suri
Page Count:496
Rating: A
Format Read: Galley
Genre: Fantasy
Keywords: Daeva, Mughal Empire, Vows
Kid Appropriate: Teen and older
Synopsis from Goodreads:
A nobleman’s daughter with magic in her blood. An empire built on the dreams of enslaved gods. Empire of Sand is Tasha Suri’s captivating, Mughal India-inspired debut fantasy.
The Amrithi are outcasts; nomads descended of desert spirits, they are coveted and persecuted throughout the Empire for the power in their blood. Mehr is the illegitimate daughter of an imperial governor and an exiled Amrithi mother she can barely remember, but whose face and magic she has inherited.
When Mehr’s power comes to the attention of the Emperor’s most feared mystics, she must use every ounce of will, subtlety, and power she possesses to resist their cruel agenda.
Should she fail, the gods themselves may awaken seeking vengeance…
Empire of Sand is a lush, dazzling fantasy novel perfect for readers of City of Brass and The Wrath & the Dawn.
My Review:
I absolutely loved this lush Indian inspired fantasy! The influences from Indian culture and the history of the Mughal Empire made this a fascinating read while our main characters easily capture you heart.
Mehr is a prickly heroine that deals with the struggles of duty, identity, and place in a way that will resonate with a variety of readers. Anyone searching for a strong female character that is far from being a damsel in distress will grow to adore her. Her romance in this book is one of the least problematic I have seen in a long time as well. I loved rooting for them and that it wasn't the main point of the story, but rather a delightful addition.
I also enjoyed the motivations for our villains. No one was evil simply to be evil. Instead they were often people with their own motivations and insecurities, adding a depth of reality to them.
I completely agree with the statement that this is for fans of City of Brass and also YA readers who are looking for something similar to Rebel of the Sands. I really enjoyed that while this is an adult fantasy it would be incredibly easy for someone only familiar with YA fantasy to venture into the adult high fantasy world. This is also true for people who may not normally read fantasy. The elements of mystery and romance that wind through the tale can draw in a wide array of readers.
Video review here!
Title: The Phoenix Empress
Author: K Arsenault Rivera
Page Count:
Rating: D
Format Read: Galley
Genre: Fantasy
Keywords: LGBTQ+, Asian Inspired, Gods
Kid Appropriate: No
Synopsis from Goodreads:
The Phoenix Empress, the sequel to K Arsenault Rivera's wildly buzzed about The Tiger's Daughter, an epic historical fantasy in the vein of Patrick Rothfuss and Naomi Novik.
Since she was a child, the divine empress O Shizuka has believed she was an untouchable god. When her uncle, ruler of the Hokkaran Empire, sends her on a suicide mission as a leader of the Imperial Army, the horrors of war cause her to question everything she knows.
Thousands of miles away, the exiled and cursed warrior Barsalyya Shefali undergoes trials the most superstitious would not believe in order to return to Hokkaran court and claim her rightful place next to O Shizuka.
As the distance between disgraced empress and blighted warrior narrows, a familiar demonic force grows closer to the heart of the empire. Will the two fallen warriors be able to protect their home?
My Review:
See my review for The Tiger's Daughter here!
I genuinely loved The Tiger's Daughter, devouring it over the span of four days despite its large page count. When I received a galley copy of The Phoenix Empress I expected to love it just as much and be taken on a fresh adventure fueled by love and mythology. Instead, a month of reading has resulted in frustration and disappointment.
Writing a book is no easy feat and having to give negative reviews is not pleasant when I think about all of the work that goes into the writing and publishing of a book. However, I have to agree with many of the other negative reviews I read on Goodreads. At over 500 pages, 75% of this book could have been cut out. It served no purpose and for the first half of the book I felt as if literally nothing was happening. Reading pointless material is not encouraging and I can see many readers DNFing this book. If all of the more pointless material had been cut and the small amount of relevant material been added to the next book (which I genuinely hope to enjoy) I think the story would have flowed so much more smoothly.
Unlikable character development, a sluggish plot, and pointless flowery phrases made this book impossible for me to love.
Title: The Sisters of the Winter Wood
Author: Rena Rossner
Page Count: 464
Rating: C
Format Read: Hardcover
Genre: Fantasy
Keywords: Judaism, Fairytales, Eastern Europe
Kid Appropriate: Teens
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Raised in a small village surrounded by vast forests, Liba and Laya have lived a peaceful sheltered life - even if they've heard of troubling times for Jews elsewhere. When their parents travel to visit their dying grandfather, the sisters are left behind in their home in the woods.
But before they leave, Liba discovers the secret that their Tati can transform into a bear, and their Mami into a swan. Perhaps, Liba realizes, the old fairy tales are true. She must guard this secret carefully, even from her beloved sister.
Soon a troupe of mysterious men appear in town and Laya falls under their spell-despite their mother's warning to be wary of strangers. And these are not the only dangers lurking in the woods...
The sisters will need each other if they are to become the women they need to be - and save their people from the dark forces that draw closer.
My Review:
This book was certainly not what I was expecting. Rather than being an adult fantasy novel with some fairytale elements thrown in, it ended up being more of a dark fairytale following the sexual awakening of the teenage sisters living in a small village in the woods of Eastern Europe.
Overall, I ended up giving this one a three star rating because it had some high points as well as some extreme low points. There were many moments where I almost quit reading and others where I was beyond excited, thinking that finally the book was making a turn for the better. Below I'll cover this dichotomy.
First, the high points. The bond between sisters was endearing to watch as it evolved throughout our brief tale. Even the isolated village that this tale takes place in was well developed and created a great atmosphere for a haunting tale.
Second, the low points. This should not have been advertised as an adult novel. Everything that happens in this novel is due to the juvenile nature of our main characters. A mix of cluelessness and hormonal rampages result in disaster again and again. There was also the vagueness of the time period this is taking place in. Some of the references to antisemitism and the killings in neighboring villages makes it seem like it may have been in the 1930s but with the isolation and lack of technology it is difficult to tell.
This book is worth a go, just go in with lower expectations.
Title: Ash Princess
Author: Laura Sebastian
Page Count: 432
Rating: B
Format Read: Hardcover
Genre: YA Fantasy
Keywords: Assassination, Shame, Rebirth
Kid Appropriate: Teens and older
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Theodosia was six when her country was invaded and her mother, the Fire Queen, was murdered before her eyes. On that day, the Kaiser took Theodosia's family, her land, and her name. Theo was crowned Ash Princess--a title of shame to bear in her new life as a prisoner.
For ten years Theo has been a captive in her own palace. She's endured the relentless abuse and ridicule of the Kaiser and his court. She is powerless, surviving in her new world only by burying the girl she was deep inside.
Then, one night, the Kaiser forces her to do the unthinkable. With blood on her hands and all hope of reclaiming her throne lost, she realizes that surviving is no longer enough. But she does have a weapon: her mind is sharper than any sword. And power isn't always won on the battlefield.
For ten years, the Ash Princess has seen her land pillaged and her people enslaved. That all ends here.
For ten years Theo has been a captive in her own palace. She's endured the relentless abuse and ridicule of the Kaiser and his court. She is powerless, surviving in her new world only by burying the girl she was deep inside.
Then, one night, the Kaiser forces her to do the unthinkable. With blood on her hands and all hope of reclaiming her throne lost, she realizes that surviving is no longer enough. But she does have a weapon: her mind is sharper than any sword. And power isn't always won on the battlefield.
For ten years, the Ash Princess has seen her land pillaged and her people enslaved. That all ends here.
My Review:
I went in expecting a simple YA novel about some silly princess and probably a love triangle. In the end I was pleasantly surprised. While this is reminiscent of many previous YA novels in the past five years with a wronged princess rising from the ashes of her kingdom, especially reminded my of Sara Raasch's Snow Like Ashes, there was a great deal of political intrigue and scheming. The plans laid are beyond the rashness of many similar YA novels. Check this one out if you're in the market for a slower YA novel that focuses on the political structure of a kingdom after siege as well as the moving parts of warfare and rebellion...with a smidge or romance.
Title: The Name of the Wind
Author: Patrick Rothfuss
Page Count: 730
Rating: B
Format Read: 10th Anniversary Hardcover
Genre: Fantasy
Keywords: Magic, Words, Family
Kid Appropriate: Teens and older
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Told in Kvothe's own voice, this is the tale of the magically gifted young man who grows to be the most notorious wizard his world has ever seen.
The intimate narrative of his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, his years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-ridden city, his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a legendary school of magic, and his life as a fugitive after the murder of a king form a gripping coming-of-age story unrivaled in recent literature.
A high-action story written with a poet's hand, The Name of the Wind is a masterpiece that will transport readers into the body and mind of a wizard.
The intimate narrative of his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, his years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-ridden city, his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a legendary school of magic, and his life as a fugitive after the murder of a king form a gripping coming-of-age story unrivaled in recent literature.
A high-action story written with a poet's hand, The Name of the Wind is a masterpiece that will transport readers into the body and mind of a wizard.
My Review:
I absolutely loved the first half of this novel. Thinking it was one of the most amazing fantasy novels I have ever read and devouring the pages with excitement. The storytelling tactic of one character telling the other a tale is one of my favorites so I expected to love this one. However, around 60% through this book it began to slow down considerably and I became disconnected from our cocky Kvothe as the originally of the tale began to fade and it felt like many other fantasy novels I have read over the years. Still worth the read but definitely did not make my favorites list like most other readers.
Title: Malice
Author: John Gwynne
Page Count: 628
Rating: A++++
Format Read: Paperback
Genre: Fantasy
Keywords: Giants, Greed, Murder
Kid Appropriate: Teens and older
Synopsis from Goodreads:
A black sun is rising …
Young Corban watches enviously as boys become warriors under King Brenin’s rule, learning the art of war. He yearns to wield his sword and spear to protect his king’s realm. But that day will come all too soon. Only when he loses those he loves will he learn the true price of courage.
The Banished Lands has a violent past where armies of men and giants clashed shields in battle, the earth running dark with their heartsblood. Although the giant-clans were broken in ages past, their ruined fortresses still scar the land. But now giants stir anew, the very stones weep blood and there are sightings of giant wyrms. Those who can still read the signs see a threat far greater than the ancient wars. Sorrow will darken the world, as angels and demons make it their battlefield. Then there will be a war to end all wars.
High King Aquilus summons his fellow kings to council, seeking an alliance in this time of need. Some are skeptical, fighting their own border skirmishes against pirates and giants. But prophesy indicates darkness and light will demand two champions, the Black Sun and the Bright Star. They would be wise to seek out both, for if the Black Sun gains ascendancy, mankind’s hopes and dreams will fall to dust.
My Review:
When I first picked this book up at Barnes & Noble it was because I had seen Piera Forde raving about it and the rest of The Faithful and the Fallen series. Her excitement mixed when a pretty good rating on Goodreads led me to take the plunge. For the first 200 pages I enjoyed it but was not getting the hype. Then Storm came into the picture and the story became beyond addictive.
This book is an impressive debut and an amazing epic high fantasy novel. Everything is done in such a way that character development, pacing, and world building progress at natural rates rather than being forced or sluggish.
When I read Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings I remember expecting so much from the books and being let down. They were slow, plodding things that were saved from bad ratings by their epic conclusions. This book was everything that I wish George R. R. Martin's series had been. It was a fantastic mix of satisfying novel on its own and exciting beginning to a new series.
The characters are mostly younger at the beginning of the novel, either children growing into young adults or older teens growing into warriors/men. I really was stunned when I realized how much time had passed in the novel because it felt like nothing. Normally multiple perspective novels get bogged down because you're waiting to experience what every character is experiencing at the same time and it drags. Surprises aren't surprises because you already learned about them two chapters ago and you're bored. This one kept moving forward throughout, not stalling on any point in time. That made the story so much more enjoyable and feel like it was flying.
In short, this is a long book that will require a degree of dedication to get into. This is especially true if you are not already accustomed to the adult fantasy genre. However, if you are able to stick it out and allow yourself to fall into the story you will be met with well developed characters, a lush setting, a well paced story, and a great adventure that sets you up for a sure to be satisfying series.
Another point that made me fall in love with this story were the canine characters. I am frankly appalled by the unabashed dog abuse that I have seen in fantasy novels this year from The Assassin's Apprentice to Girls of Paper and Fire. As a dog lover I can't stomach this common trend in my favorite genre. John Gwynne has earned a loyal reader with his treatment of the canine companions in this book. They are not necessarily invincible creatures that have a shield constantly around them but any harm that may befall them makes sense and is natural. It is not gratuitous violence.
Title: Vita Nostra
Authors: Marina and Sergey Dyachenko
Translator: Julia Meitov Hersey
Page Count: 404
Rating: A
Format: Hardcover
Genre: Fantasy
Keywords: Magic, Science, Russia
Kid Appropriate: Probably not
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Our life is brief . . .
The definitive English language translation of the internationally best-selling Russian novel – a brilliant dark fantasy combining psychological suspense, enchantment, and terror that makes us consider human existence in a fresh and provocative way.
‘A book that has the potential to become a modern classic.’
Lev Grossman, best-selling author of The Magicians
Our life is brief . . .
While on holiday at the beach with her mother, Sasha Samokhina meets the mysterious Farit Kozhennikov under the most peculiar circumstances. The teenage girl is powerless to refuse when this strange and unusual man with a sinister air directs her to perform strange and uncomfortable tasks. He rewards her efforts with a strange golden coin.
As the days progress, Sasha carries out other acts for which she receives more coins from Kozhennikov. As summer ends, her new domineering mentor directs her to move to a remote village and use her gold to enter the Institute of Special Technologies. Though she does not want to go to this unknown town or university, she also feels that somehow it’s the only place she should be. Against her mother’s wishes, Sasha leaves behind all that is familiar and begins her education.
As she quickly discovers, the institute’s ‘special technologies’ are unlike anything she has ever encountered. The books are impossible to read, the lessons maddeningly obscure, and the work refuses memorization. Using terror and coercion to keep the students in line, the school does not punish them for their transgressions and failures; instead, their families pay a terrible price.
Yet despite her fear, Sasha undergoes changes that defy the dictates of matter and time; experiences which are nothing she has ever dreamed of… and suddenly all she could ever want.
A complex blend of adventure, magic, science, and philosophy, filtered through a distinct Russian sensibility, this astonishing work – brilliantly translated by Julia Meitov Hersey – is reminiscent of modern classics such as Lev Grossman’s The Magicians, Max Barry’s Lexicon, and Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale, but will transport them to a place fantastical and new.
My Review:
Oh lordy I loved this book a million times more than I had expected!
For some background, this is not a new book but the English translation and American release of Vita Nostra is new as of November 2018. The authors are a couple originally from Ukraine and this book was published in Russian around 2013. From my understanding, this is a series...and I have high hopes that the other books will be translated as well if that is true!
First, I need to address that this is in no way like The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden. If that is what you expect going into this one you will be incredibly disappointed. Arden writes a great fantasy novel that pulls more from the medieval culture of Russia and folklore prevalent in the countryside. You can read my full review for that book here. Marina and Sergey are not writing such a book. Sasha is a girl in modern Eastern Europe and you will experience glimpses of what life is like in post-Soviet culture. As long as you go in expecting that rather than the fairytale story of Arden's creation then you will be just fine.
The book begins in a slow and somewhat confusing way, mirroring the summer vacation mood that Sasha and her mother are experiencing as well as the fear that Sasha faces with this peculiar man following her about. This feeling of the story following the way that Sasha is feeling and morphing throughout the story is perhaps one of the strongest aspects of the writing.
I took the advice of one reviewer while I was reading and focused more on the concept of liminal spaces (a term anyone that has ever studied Russian culture is incredibly familiar with). For this book that is the space between being a child and an adult. That is what this story is about at it's very root, becoming who you are meant to be. Because the characters are college age and making this transition I would say that this book falls closer to being a New Adult fantasy rather than a YA or adult fantasy. Sex is a frequent conversation but I do not recall any detailed scenes of smut.
With the focus on Sasha's transformation and the writing following fairly closely with her emotions and stages of development in her studies, the book is incredibly addictive and you begin to feel as if the book has bewitched you! By the end of the book I felt like Sasha, fixated on the story and unable to look away.
If you are looking for a post-Soviet, addictive, dark twist on the typical magic school setting then I highly recommend giving this one a go!
Please note, if you are sensitive to content relating to sexual coercion or prostitution that it is a small part of this story.
If you want to see my spoiler free video review click here. Happy reading!
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