#fantasyReads;

[nadclo]

Enchanted Realms - Standout Books that bring the Fey to Life

For our Tuesday walk we stepping into the world where boundaries between reality and fantasy blur so epically, where faeries and fey dance through the pages of captivating tales. if you’re enchanted by the whimsical and the mystical, these stand out books offer an alluring glimpse into the realms of magic, mischief, and wonder. Whether you’re drawn to the dark allure of faerie courts or the…

[ameliasmiscmonsters]

A Firework Proposal - Vampire x Reader

You yelped as your partner shot out of the window and flung himself onto the roof of your building.

He landed with annoying grace, leaned over the edge of the roof. “Come up!” Your Vampire Boyfriend whispered.

You rubbed your fingers on your sweaty palms. “How am I supposed to do what you do? I haven’t got the grip, nor the power, to do what you do!” You snapped back.

It also doesn’t help that all the building’s exterior was a smooth brick that you had no hope of climbing. But you kept that part to yourself.

Your Vampire had said that he had a surprise for you, and the last thing you wanted was to be nasty to him. Especially when he was trying to do something nice for you.

Your Vampire looked over his shoulder, up at the sky. “Then give me your hand.” He held his arm over the edge of the roof, fingers splayed.

Locking your hand over his wrist, you allowed him to pull you up and onto the roof. When you were stable on the rooftop, he tugged you closer, resting a hand on your waist.

He gave you a smug grin as you rolled your eyes. “If you wanted me to be close to you, you should have just asked.” You smiled.

“Yeah, but it’s not as romantic if I just ask, is it? I have to have an excuse for it.” And as if he summoned it, a shot flew into the sky, leaving a stream of orange glittering behind it. “And what perfect excuse than to watch the fireworks with you?”

The shot exploded into the shape of a star, before evaporating in a shower of green sparks and vanishing into the dark night sky.

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[thewanderinginn]

📢 Word Of The Week: Oultrepreu 📢

Bravery takes many forms in the series, but few embody oultrepreu like Zel Shivertail, who stood against impossible odds.

Which character in #TheWanderingInn best represents oultrepreu?

[emephwrites]

Sraidrha was 13 when she made a life-altering decision, and honestly, it's been an interesting time ever since. As the Shabti of Alnyagel, she's all about keeping it together for her dad and his people while they navigate the drama of running a Hierarchal household. But, just when she thought she had her life on track, a mystery comes knocking (or rather, dropping) into her world. Sara wonders if she can re-schedule this particular Chaos. And to make matters worse, the First Territory of Yeshvara is experiencing earthquakes that are, quite literally, shaking things up. Her parents and the rest of the Hierarchy consider their options and toss the mystery back to Sraidrha, and a select group of other young Keshkin, as they try to help Laskidoor recover. Sara's not having it, though. She's a planner, and this is just not in the schedule. So, there better be a solid explanation for all this craziness, or she'll unleash inner fury her siblings and cousins whisper about.

[thewritermuses]

Mythical Beasts

Mythical Beasts - John Cherry

This interesting book is a cross between a bestiary and something else altogether. While it is divided into creatures like a normal bestiary the chapters on each creature are very long. They focus on the historical origins of the creatures. These discussions are illustrated by fantastic images of paintings or artifacts that demonstrate the point Cherry is making.So not only do we get to see Cherry's tracking of the creatures through time, but we also get to see how their depiction changes. The changes and differences on display are both over time and cross-cultural.I liked this book so much because of the wealth of detail in the origins and stories around these creatures.I had originally purchased this to aid the development of a TV series I was writing on and the detail and historical accuracy was key for that purpose.

In parts, it does get a bit academic and rambly. If you are keen to see what people thought about Griffins; Dragons; Unicorns; Sphinxes; Centaurs and other half-humans throughout history this is fantastic. Read the full article

[peterrsthomas]

Book Review: Caraway of the Sea

Caraway Auclair has devoted herself to protecting her brother, serving as the ship’s first mate and enforcer. Sacrificing nearly all she is to ensure that he becomes the most fearsome pirate Captain to ever sail the Carnelian Sea. She realizes too late, that the seas have only grown darker, and the waves more fearsome, they threaten to pull her under completely and mold her into something akin to a nightmare.

Caraway of the Sea, a new novel by Madeline Burget, is a new entry to the pirate fantasy/romance space. Billed as a ‘grim cozy pirate tale’, it promises slow-burn romance and lots of paranoia.

And boy does it deliver.

Caraway, our titular main character, is a young woman in a man’s world. Here, though she did hide herself as a man in events prior to the story, hiding as a man isn’t the main focus. People accept that she is a woman. But, that does not mean she is free from danger—far from it. Indeed, she is still the subject of violence, and in particular sexual violence. This is explored in some depth.

But Caraway is herself violent, and we get the sense that this is in some part because she is a woman. To keep herself safe, she has to present herself as someone not to be messed with. And this leads to many a brutal encounter. The action sequences are, indeed, brutal, and bloodthirsty readers will find enough swordplay and gore to satisfy. 

The main focus is on Caraway’s fracturing relationship with her brother. He, as captain of their crew, is becoming increasingly paranoid and insecure, and she, as his protector, tries to prevent him from following a deadly and ruinous path. But events soon turn for the worse as she becomes the latest subject of his dark suspicions. 

The story is interspersed with flashbacks, and this mostly works well, though there is one jarring revelation (which I won’t spoil) that made me question how it could take so long for Caraway to come to her eventual realisation. On reflection, it does speak to the nature of gaslighting and abuse in a fundamental way, and made me reevaluate Caraway as something of an unreliable narrator—she is slow to understand what becomes plain to the reader, and we watch her come around.

My one gripe is the overuse of Caraway recalling memories of things recently passed that the reader was not privy to. The emotional weight of such moments is underwhelming if we weren’t witness to the initial occurrence. This happens more at the start, and is in no way disruptive, but it is just one of those things that didn’t work for me. Perhaps things could have been sequenced differently, or some scenes added in place of others, that would have provided more coherence here.

Above all, the slow burn romance is done well. Enzo, the strong and handsome love interest, is a compelling counterpoint to Caraway, and his affection for her grows even as she is slow to understand her feelings towards him. We can empathise with her reluctance while still rooting for them—even if Enzo isn’t always trustworthy.

In all, this book is definitely a worthy contribution to the genre. And, it is the first in a series—I will be interested to see where Caraway adventures next…

[the-ladysparks]

Hello! I figured the best way to get the ball moving on this particular attempt at another platform was to introduce myself.

I’m Janni (pronounced like yawn-ee) and I am known as theladysparks over on other social media sites in the bookish social sphere. I have been a part of the online bookish community since July of 2019. I was dealing with postpartum depression and had just started getting into reading again, hopped on IG to look up a book and saw that there was this entire community on here that combined two of my favorite things - photography and reading. And the rest was history.

I live in Texas with my husband, our two kids and our dog, Murphy, who is a german shorthaired pointer/blue heeler mix. Up until early December of 2024, I was a wedding photographer but I decided to hang it up (at least for now) because I am homeschooling both of my kids and it was just a lot on my plate. I was recently diagnosed with OCD and I have anxiety. I also have TMJ which can be pretty debilitating at times.

I’m 5’1. My favorite color is pink. My hair is naturally curly. Dr. Pepper is my life’s blood. I’m a big fan of Reylo, Mass Effect, & Dragon Age (plugging my video game screenshot account @theladygames - where I share gaming things.) I love wearing bows in my hair. I’m a big fan of making new friends here so please never hesitate to reach out!

✨(I am pro-liberation, pro-choice, & anti-AI: if you don’t agree, my platform isn’t for you!)✨

[xxkwho]

Kingdom of Flesh and Fire - Jennifer L Armentrout

My review :: 4.5 stars - Beginning :: I liked the first one better. Middle :: so freaking excited to get to and experience Atlantia. End :: okay… okay. I get it. I’m in it. 

[bucolicbook]

Songlight (The Torch Trilogy, #1) by Moira Buffini 

US pub date - 9/3/24

I love a good fantasy, and with truly fond memories of reading some fantastic YA fantasy novels back in the late 80’s/early 90’s (there are some I’d love to read again but can’t remember titles), I will happily read either.

Engaging and compelling, Songlight pulled me in from the very first chapter and I read this, eager to see what next - and wow, I’m definitely looking forward to the next two titles. 

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the DRC

[turning-pages-seeking-sages]

📖✨ Monthly Reading Wrap-Up

September 2024 Edition

📕 Diavola by Jennifer Marie Thorne Fantasy/Horror | ★★★★½ (4.5/5) A young woman discovers dark secrets lurking in the seemingly idyllic Italian town she moves to, as she becomes entangled with a sinister entity. Review: The toxic family dynamic was rage-inducing but her growth was so satisfying.

📗 Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See Historical Fiction | ★★★★¼ (4.25/5) A story of friendship, healing, and the remarkable life of Lady Tan, a woman physician in 15th-century China who challenged societal expectations. Review: A beautiful book with characters who are very much a product of their time but their worries and aspirations remain timeless.

📘 Vita Nostra by Sergey Dyachenko, Marina Dyachenko Fantasy | ★★★★½ (4.5/5) A mind-bending novel about a young woman's entrance into a mysterious institute where reality and language twist into something far beyond comprehension. Review: I can't explain what this book did to my brain—Stockholm syndrome comes close. Click 'keep reading' for the full list and StoryGraph links.

📙 Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan Epic Fantasy | ★★★★☆ (4/5) The overthrow of a corrupt monarchy sets off a revolution in a world of magic-wielding powder mages and political intrigue. Review: Loved the world-building, but the women in this story come off quite flat.

📕 The Assassins of Thasalon by Lois McMaster Bujold Fantasy | ★★★★☆ (4/5) A retired sorcerer-turned-saint is called back into action when an assassination plot threatens the stability of his world. Review: I enjoyed the political intrigue and love a good comeuppance.

📗 Knot of Shadows by Lois McMaster Bujold Fantasy/Mystery | ★★★★☆ (4/5) An unconventional investigation unfolds in a world where magic and mystery intertwine, revealing deeper truths about life, death, and the spiritual realm. Review: This poignant story of vengeance and justice moved me to tears.

📘 The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman Fantasy | ★★★★¾ (4.75/5) A thief with a debt to a ruthless guild must navigate a world full of danger, including goblins, witches, and an epic war, to survive. Review: I loved this book—the tone, the worldbuilding, and the characters, whom I am now completely in love with.

📙 Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree Fantasy | ★★★★☆ (4/5) A wounded mercenary finds herself stuck in a sleepy seaside town and unexpectedly drawn into the warmth of a local bookshop, where new adventures await. Review: Cozy, heartwarming, and sweet in all the right ways.

📕 The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden Historical Fiction | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) A chilling tale set during World War I, blending the supernatural with a soldier's haunting experiences in the trenches. Review: A solid read, but it was a book-reader mismatch because I wanted more fantasy.

📗 The Do-Over by Lynn Painter Romantic Comedy | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) A woman gets the chance to relive Valentine's Day over and over, as she tries to fix her love life and face her fears about commitment. Review: Light and entertaining but the romance didn't stand out for me.

📘 White Cat by Holly Black Urban Fantasy | ★★★½☆ (3.5/5) In a world where magic is forbidden, Cassel discovers his family's darkest secrets and grapples with the consequences of his own powers. Review: I've had my fill of Cassel and his twisted family dynamics.

[authorrmbrown]

Eat your cereal

One of my favourite parts about writing Song of the Stag was inserting little references to Scottish culture within the story. Special mentions go out to the famous 'it's legal tender' debate, David Cameron's 'balanced settlement', and a nod to Robert the Bruce's Queen, but my favourite by far is a reference to the Better Together campaign's 2014 advert entitled 'The Woman Who Made Up Her Mind'.

The advert itself became infamous in 2014 for its patronising and misogynistic script centred around a housewife who decides to vote no to Scottish independence. The character bemoans her husband's sudden interest in the topic, and her patience finally gives out that morning, just before the camera starts rolling, when he brings it up again and she says, 'It's too early for politics, eat your cereal!'

The phrase became something of a symbol for the way the Better Together campaign tried to tivialise real-life concerns people had with the UK by passing off independence supporters as flag-waving, Braveheart-worshipping lunatics. 'It's all a load of patriotic guff, just shut up and vote no,' it seemed to say.

The reference to this line comes into play in Song of the Stag when our main character, Cait, starts to feel sympathy and agreement towards the Storrian Separatist cause, completely contrary to the conservative views held by the residents of her village. She tries to keep her mother's words - 'it's too early for politics, lass. Eat your cereal.' - in her mind as she moves about the city, trying her best to ignore the hardship that the Separatists aim to fix, and the call to revolution in her heart.

Song of the Stag is available now!

[thequantumversechronicles]

🌌🔭✨Under the twinkling Crysallis sky, Mina and Lumiel gaze through ancient telescopes, captivated by a rare celestial event. The wonders of the Quantumverse unfold above, bridging past and future through the lens of magic and science.  

🔥 Join us on a Magical Adventure as I debut my NEW serial fiction The Quantumverse Chronicles in July 2024! Epic Adventures, Powerful Spells, Massive Worldbuilding, Magical Creatures, Wizards, Mages, Druids, Elves, Fairies, Crystal Kin, Humans and more. Welcome to the #quantumverse.

[jbankai89]

[thewanderinginn]

The Wandering Inn: Book 15 The Garden of Sanctuary

The wait is over! The next book is officially here!

Get it at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DQM423V2?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_14&storeType=ebooks&qid=1722018593&sr=8-11

Who’s ready to return to The Wandering Inn?

[emephwrites]

Jeskha and her twin brother Alharic, blessed with a life of love and warmth, never knew they were destined for so-called greatness. Despite their divine heritage, they were spared the weight of responsibility. Instead, they focused on spreading joy and abundance in their tiny Manor village. 

But when the earth tremors struck Laskidoor, their inner gifts began to awaken, many years later than expected. Now, they embark on a journey to embrace their true legacy. As they travel along the revered Keshkin Road, Jeskha is filled with a mix of cautious optimism and wonder, questioning if her life's preparation will be enough to guide her through the transformative power of Manifestation.

[libraryofnika]

“𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓,” — “𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓?

𝙷𝚎𝚒𝚛𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝙳𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚋𝚢 𝚃.𝙽.𝚅𝚒𝚝𝚞𝚜 ʙᴏᴏᴋ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ⊹˙⋆

Gracing you again with my unedited full review of 𝙷𝚎𝚒𝚛𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝙳𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗, a new high fantasy novel series that I enjoyed so much. I absolutely highly recommend this brilliantly written novel. My full review might contain SPOILERS, so be aware of that when you decide to read my unedited review.

◇

Release Date: June 25, 2024

Date Finished and Reviewed (Goodreads): June 21, 2024

Ratings: 4⭐️

◇

It took me a while to finish this because this novel was stressing me– NOT IN A BAD WAY BUT IN A GOOD WAY.

Going forward, the writing is brilliant. It did really well in drawing my attention and curiosity from the very start until the end. I was glad that the writing really did fit the story, I think that’s one of the main reasons I enjoyed this book very much.

The world building was intricate. I would say the author did well in introducing it in the novel, I quite enjoy it. The world building did really feel medieval to me and perhaps a little bit of the GoT atmosphere. I would definitely love to see more of it in the 2nd book. Although I’m quite waiting for the Dragon and Vampire concept to be shown more, it wasn’t that much here, so I hope the 2nd novel will exercise these more.

The plot was very much politial at the beginning. However, it did waned and went towards the character arc route, in my opinion, in like 60%, which I didn’t have a problem considering the characters were really likeable. I was really rooting for them all. Still, it was politically intrigued to me in some ways and more building of the storyline.

I would say I was more attached to the characters, especially Rhella and Virgil. Their dynamics and chemistry are undeniable. They’re giving me so much of a strong couple and ride or die couple vibes, and strangely, the Percy and Annabeth, I don’t know why, honestly. I’m definitely looking forward to the developments of this pairing.

Asriel, on the other hand, I was rooting for him to be honest, but after that scheme of his, I was upset. I was expecting so much of him, but I would say I’m disappointed with his character.

There are quite a few suspicious characters, in my opinion. I would say let’s see how it goes in the next instalment.

The parts towards the ending on the hand— I’m not quite sure how I should feel about it, I’m suspicious? It was abrupt to me and felt anticlimactic. That being said, let’s see how it would go after that part in the next instalment.

Overall, this was a solid introduction for the series. I’m really rooting for this and excited for the events, especially Rhaella, Virgil, Asriel, and the rest of the characters’ development in the next instalment ♡

If you like these, you’ll need to check this novel ♡

◇ political intrigue

◇ world building

◇ well written characters

◇ queer cast

◇ royals

◇ fantasy elements (dragons, prophecy, vampire, and the likes)

◇ strong and potentially ride and die couple

◇

Thank you, author, for the e-arc opportunity, I definitely had fun in this novel. I’m super excited and can not wait for the 2nd instalment ♡

P.S. I made an honest mistake on my tbr post and had this book under sapphic, but the right category would be queer for the characters 🔖

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