Review: The Last Smile in Sunder City by Luke Arnold

The Last Smile in Sunder City by Luke Arnold
Orbit

Publication Date: February 6th, 2020

Paperback. 352 pages

About The Last Smile in Sunder City:

"A former soldier turned PI tries to help the fantasy creatures whose lives he ruined in a world that's lost its magic in a compelling debut fantasy by Black Sails actor Luke Arnold. Welcome to Sunder City. The magic is gone but the monsters remain.I'm Fetch Phillips, just like it says on the window. There are a few things you should know before you hire me:1. Sobriety costs extra.2. My services are confidential.3. I don't work for humans. It's nothing personal--I'm human myself. But after what happened, to the magic, it's not the humans who need my help. Walk the streets of Sunder City and meet Fetch, his magical clients, and a darkly imagined world perfect for readers of Ben Aaronovitch and Jim Butcher."

The Last Smile in Sunder City is an urban fantasy that really took me by surprise. It takes place in a world in which the magic that once inhabited the land and allowed various magical creatures to thrive has essentially "run out" and the creatures are left without magic, something with various physical forms that denote their once magic selves, while others, such as the Vampires, slowly begin to die since the magic that once kept them alive is now gone as well.

Urban fantasy and its similar genres/styles aren't usually my go-to, but I really loved the sound of this one and the unique premise that it contained, and I'm glad I did since it turned out to have a really interesting world and concepts that kept me hooked. Arnold also has a really pleasing writing style that made this book easy to fall into--in fact, when I first picked it up I had only been planning to check out the first chapter and before I knew it I had already read through more than a few of them. There's something very smooth and welcoming about his writing that makes it accessible and easy to fall into.

I found Fetch Phillips to be such an oddly endearing character, though not one that feels particularly unique. He's one of those that comes across as a bit gruff, doesn't really take himself--or much of anything--very seriously, and has far too much confidence for his own good and safety, but still manages to make you enjoy him and eager to see what he plans to do next. The book is told solely from Fetch's POV, but it does alternate occasionally between the present day timeline and some flashbacks from Fetch's life that provide some needed background to his life.

This is a world in which humans are generally hated by most magical creatures for being the cause of the magic going away (which isn't without good reason), so there are a lot of themes relating to that at play, such as dealing with those who are oppressed and their reactions towards humans. Fetch has to navigate a world in which he, a human, is unwelcome, but still wants to do things for magical creatures while essentially ignoring the humans and refusing to work for them. I really loved the way Arnold navigated all of these topics and the different lessons and sentiments he explores.

Overall, I've given The Last Smile in Sunder City four stars! I really had a fun time with this and would absolutely recommend it to any fantasy reader, especially those who love urban fantasy.

*I received a copy of The Last Smile in Sunder City courtesy of Orbit in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating of the novel.*

Amazon | Book Depository  | IndieBound

Review: The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by K.S. Villoso

The Wolf of Oren-Yaro (Chronicles of a Bitch Queen, #1) by K.S. Villoso
Orbit

Publication Date: February 18th, 2020

Paperback.  496 pages

About The Wolf of Oren-Yaro:

"'I murdered a man and made my husband leave the night before they crowned me.'

Born under the crumbling towers of Oren-yaro, Queen Talyien was the shining jewel and legacy of the bloody War of the Wolves that nearly tore her nation apart. Her upcoming marriage to the son of her father's rival heralds peaceful days to come. 

But his sudden departure before their reign begins fractures the kingdom beyond repair. 

Years later, Talyien receives a message, urging her to attend a meeting across the sea. It's meant to be an effort at reconciliation, but an assassination attempt leaves the queen stranded and desperate to survive in a dangerous land. With no idea who she can trust, she's on her own as she struggles to fight her way home."

This book was so different from other fantasy books and I've been really struggling to figure out how to capture it in a review. It's harsh and cruel and unforgiving and also weirdly captivating--much like our protagonist! I read this book back in September (which is also when I wrote the bulk of this review--don't want to forget things!) so I've had some time to sit and think about this book, and I still feel completely unsure how to rate it. Part of me was frustrated by the characters and plots, but another part of me was completely impressed by Villoso's unexpected world and decision to put such an unlikable person as her protagonist in a way that completely paid off.

The Wolf of Oren-Yaro follows main character Queen Talyien, or, as she's more affectionately and accurately dubbed, the Bitch Queen. When a series is titled "Chronicles of a Bitch-Queen," I expect a pretty hard-ass, intense character, and that's true of Talyien's personality for the most part. However, I also expected to like her a bit more than I did, because as it is I had a really hard time getting behind her many confusing decisions and nearly impossible to understand personality, which made it hard for me to enjoy this book as much as I know I could have. The confusing part for me, however, is that I was still weirdly hooked on her story and interested in knowing how it would turn, which to me is credit to Villoso's talent for writing a compelling story that knows just how to capture the reader's attention while also creating some very unique and strong-willed characters.

The world-building in The World of Oren-Yaro is impressive and took me by surprise. It's a very full world, and by that I mean it felt as though all the necessary corners and backgrounds in any setting were given adequate explanation that really let me feel as though I could imagine each scene in a vivid manner. I also appreciated how much many of these settings reflected the actions and characters of the novels, such as with some more bleak and/or violent settings that fit with some of the current situations and plot. The plot itself is sort of on the slower side and I felt this book was a little more focused on characters than action-heavy plot--which is fine with me--but it did leave me constantly wondering where this story was going to go, which I'm not sure I fully enjoyed.

I think one of the biggest strengths of this book is easily Villoso's strong narrative voice. If this book had been written in any other style or any way with even a little less personality and strength, I do not think I would've enjoyed or finished this book. Because of Villoso's voice, I was able to find myself becoming very engaged with the story and even the characters, despite my feelings about them, and I was constantly curious to keep turning the pages and see what new, unpredictable direction this story would take us in--and it definitely took us in some unexpected places! The ending was easily one of the most redeeming qualities of this book and has left me curious to see what the rest of this series will bring.

Overall, I think it's 3.5 stars from me. I'm almost at 3.75, but I have to acknowledge the struggles I had with some of the plot and characters and how much those did make it difficult to get into this book, so that's why I've ended up where I am. If you like to try new things and appreciate some unlikable characters, then I encourage you to give The Wolf of Oren-Yaro a try!

*I received a copy of The Wolf of Oren-Yaro courtesy of Orbit books in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating of the novel.*

Amazon | Book Depository | Indiebound

Review: A Secret History of Witches by Louisa Morgan

A Secret History of Witches by Louisa Morgan
Redhook

Publication Date: September 5th, 2017

Hardcover. 496 pages

About A Secret History of Witches:

"An ancient and dangerous power is being handed down from mother to daughter through some of the most consequential historic events of the last two centuries. 

After Grandmére Ursule gives her life to save her tribe, her magic seems to die with her. Even so, her family keeps the Old Faith, practicing the spells and rites that have been handed from mother to daughter for generations. Until one day, Ursule’s young granddaughter steps into the circle, and magic flows anew. 

From early 19th century Brittany to London during the Second World War, five generations of witches fight the battles of their time, deciding how far they are willing to go to protect their family, their heritage, and ultimately, all of our futures."

I read The Witch's Kind, Louisa Morgan's second release, earlier this year and really fell in love with her writing and storytelling. I finally got around to picking up A Secret History of Witches recently and once again fell back in love with the charming, meaningful lives of some incredible witches from different periods of life.

A Secret History of Witches falls more into what I would call historical fiction with a touch of magic or maybe historical fantasy than it is straight up fantasy, but regardless of what you want to call it, there's no denying that it's magical and enchanting journey through the ups and downs of five generations of Orchiére witches.

The story begins in the year 1821 and continues until just past the end of World War II. It's a lot of time and history to cover, but Morgan managed to write it in a way that allowed it flow naturally. I'll be honest and say that I was slightly skeptical of how five entire generations could be explored in a book under five hundred pages, but I'm really impressed by how Morgan decided to explore the lives of each Orchiére daughter. I worried that there would be a bit of repetition at play and although there were elements throughout the generations that had similar elements and there tended to be patterns you could predict (which was a bit of a drawback at times), there was enough difference within each woman's life to make each snippet feel unique and engaging. It also made it feel almost like a folklore setup where there are similar main story elements, but they differ according to each specific story. At times, it almost felt as though I were reading interconnected novellas or short stories with how we got to experience a certain amount of time with each woman before encountering a momentous moment and moving onto the next, all while keeping the long Orchiére story and tradition alive in each one.

The Orchiére women we follow are Nannette, Ursule, Irène, Morwen, and Veronica. I found Morgan development of each woman really strong and well done and I was satisfied by how she managed to make each one's story unique in their own way. There were some that believed the magic from birth, some that were skeptical, some that liked their life, some that hated it--all of the emotions and family struggles that one might expect across five generation were present and made this book such a joy to explore. Of the five women, I would say I most enjoyed Nannette, Morwen, and Veronica's storylines and my least favorite was probably Irène's. Nannette really kicks off the story well with her strong passion for the tradition of her Orchiere witchcraft and understanding of the perils associated with it and Veronica wraps up the story nicely with a great example of her usage of the magic as well. Irene was the hardest for me to get behind (and frankly, I never really did) because of her ungratefulness to her mother and somewhat narcissistic-leaning personality. I appreciated some of her confidence and determination, but it was mixed with too much hatred and selfishness to grab me. I don't know if we were supposed to particularly like Irene or not, so I applaud Morgan for adding such a diverse group of women in this large story.

I really love the way that Morgan incorporated the witchcraft and magical elements to this story. The magic that exists is very much in the fashion of the sort of 'traditional' old-fashion witchcraft you might expect from the time periods this story covers. There are 'simple' spells made to help with small things like nausea, colds, sleeping, etc., as well as scrying stones, rituals, familiars, and a few more similar elements.

Watching the Orchiére family over give generations was truly exciting and it was so interesting to me to see how attitudes towards the witchcraft of the family differed throughout time. There was so much to explore in this book, from social views towards witchcraft and women to family struggles to struggles of social status and economics and so much, this book really has a little bit of something for everyone.

Overall, I've given A Secret History of Witches 4.5 stars! I was really pleasantly surprised by how Morgan wrote a multi-generational story in such a compelling and meaningful way. Definitely pick this one up if you like historical ficiton, witches, or stories that explore a lot of family dynamics and lore!

Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

Review: Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender

Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender
Orbit

Publication Date: November 12th, 2019

Paperback. 400 pages

About Queen of the Conquered:

"Sigourney Rose is the only surviving daughter of a noble lineage on the islands of Hans Lollik. When she was a child, her family was murdered by the islands’ colonizers, who have massacred and enslaved generations of her people—and now, Sigourney is ready to exact her revenge. 

When the childless king of the islands declares that he will choose his successor from amongst eligible noble families, Sigourney uses her ability to read and control minds to manipulate her way onto the royal island and into the ranks of the ruling colonizers. But when she arrives, prepared to fight for control of all the islands, Sigourney finds herself the target of a dangerous, unknown magic. 

Someone is killing off the ruling families to clear a path to the throne. As the bodies pile up and all eyes regard her with suspicion, Sigourney must find allies among her prey and the murderer among her peers... lest she become the next victim."

Queen of the Conquered was a punch of a novel that I did not expect. This is an intense book that is definitely not for the fainthearted.

Queen of the Conquered follows Sigourney Rose, the last person alive in her family after a brutal attack when she was a young child that resulted in the brutal death of everyone in her family, including all children. She was able to escape and begin life (somewhat) anew under a new guise in which she attempts to work her way up to becoming ruler of Hans Lollik herself. Oh yeah, and she can read people's minds and essentially control their actions and thoughts if she so chooses, as well.

The most compelling and prominent component at the center of this book is Sigourney herself. She faces immense hatred and prejudice from everyone around her, including the slaves she rules over and the white colonizers, commonly known as the Fjerns, that she tries to work with. Sigourney is fully aware of the hatred coming at her on sides because of how she decides to achieve her goals; she doesn't allow her slaves to be harmed, but she also doesn't  give them their freedom as her mother promised them. The Fjerns, of course, simply classify her as being no better than an 'islander' (synonymous with slave) and can't fathom how someone that looks like her could ever be allowed to do anything they do. (If you're feeling frustrated already, I'm right there with you--this book is a lot to take in!) There's a variety of other characters that we meet from all different parts and stations within this world and I loved seeing how each one interacted with those around them as well as with Sigourney herself.

Callender's analysis of power, privilege, and race was so nuanced and well done. I found myself thinking about this book and all of the topics it handles almost all the time when I put this book down. It covers so many crucial topics that are so relevant in today's world and that I think are great discussion-starters on how we perceive those around us, how privilege is distributed in the world, who has power, how that power is executed, and so many more truly important topics.

The Caribbean inspiration for this story came through extremely well and I loved getting a setting/background that I've never experienced before (and from an author that knows what they're talking about) and I really hope to see more Caribbean-inspired fantasy in the future. The weather and descriptions of the islands combined with the historical background that Callender relates brought this setting to life and I loved getting to spend some time in it.

I can see how the writing style of Queen of the Conquered could be hit or miss for people, though I personally really enjoyed it. Sigourney has a very distinct narrative voice. It's one that I would describe as being more on the dry and -sounding side--or at least that's how I interpreted it. I personally liked it because, for me, it effectively conveyed the almost 'heartless' emotional state of Sigourney herself and how she has essentially hardened herself against the world around her. She doesn't intrude into people's minds to hear their hatred for her because she already knows it's there no matter what she does.

My main drawbacks would be around pacing and info-dumping. There were a few areas where Sigourney appeared to essentially look into the background of people through her mind-reading  and would then convey to us the background story of them which just felt like a lot of info-dumping that was hard to keep track of and that I didn't always care about. This also then affected the pacing by making it somewhat choppy and more difficult to get through. Despite these issues, I really don't have much else to complain about!

Overall, I've given Queen of the Conquered 4.25 stars! I cannot wait for the sequel (which was just announced the day I'm writing this review!).

*I received an ARC of Queen of the Conquered courtesy of Orbit books in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating.*

Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

Review: Realm of Ash by Tasha Suri

Realm of Ash (Books of Ambha #2) by Tasha Suri
Orbit

Publication Date: November 12th, 2019

Paperback. 496 pages

About Realm of Ash:

"The Ambhan Empire is crumbling. A terrible war of succession hovers on the horizon. The only hope for peace lies in the mysterious realm of ash, where mortals can find what they seek in the echoes of their ancestors' dreams. But to walk there requires a steep price. 

Arwa is determined to make the journey. Widowed by a brutal massacre, she's pledged service to the royal family and will see that pledge through to the end. She never expected to be joined by Zahir, the disgraced, illegitimate prince who has turned to forbidden magic in a desperate bid to save those he loves. 

Together, they'll walk the bloody path of their shared past. And it will call into question everything they've ever believed...including whether the Empire is worth saving at all."

Last year I had the pleasure of reading Tasha Suri's debut Empire of Sand and I fell so deeply in love with her writing and her characters. There's something special about the way Suri crafts her world and her stories and I couldn't be happier to say that Realm of Ash lived up to its predecessor in all of the best possible ways.

Realm of Ash takes place about ten years after the events of Empire of Sand and this time around we follow Arwa, Mehr's younger sister who only appears in the beginning of Empire of Sand. One of my favorite things about the first book was the characters, so I was honestly slightly unsure how I would feel about following a new set of characters--would they be as complex? would I fall in love with them even half as much as those from Empire of Sand? will there still be that magic? And, of course, by the time I was halfway through I felt guilty for even entertaining those questions.

Arwa is an incredibly strong character that undergoes so many major developments throughout the course of this story. Her commitment to her modesty and to maintaining her reputation for herself and her family were so beautiful and I just genuinely loved watching her navigate all of the obstacles int his book while trying to stay true to herself, only giving in when she felt something was right, not because of anyone else's influence. I couldn't help but feel connected to Arwa and was fully invested in her entire journey.

Another character that we get to know fairly well is Zahir, Princess Jihan's brother. I won't go into too much regarding him or his role because I feel like it's an important part of this journey. Nonetheless, I'll say that he's a similarly fascinating character and I just loved how Suri allowed us to get to know him slowly but steadily along with Arwa and to understand what his own feelings, goals, and motivations are in this world.

I love everything about how Suri develops her world. Her words are a special form of magic that managed to create a world and culture that felt so real and involved. I really like learning about the different areas and ruling powers that exist and how they function. I'm always fascinated by the 'magic' system that is at play in this world and how it ties into religion and other aspects that are so important to this world. In fact, one of my favorite things is how she conveys the traditions and religion of cultures in her world. There's no question over where certain people stand on things or how various ideas are received in this world and I think that shows Suri's deft at crafting an intricate world that still makes sense and is possible to follow.

I'm not entirely sure what Suri is planning to write next (please let there be another book in this series?), but whatever it is, I will absolutely be reading it. I would love to see even more of this world explored and I feel like there is so much more story that could be told about these characters and this world.

Overall, obviously I've given Realm of Ash five stars (a nice match to Empire of Sand's five stars!)

*I received a copy of Realm of Ash courtesy of Orbit books in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating.*

Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender & Songs from the Deep by Kelly Powell

 

Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released! This meme is based off of Jill @ Breaking the Spine's Waiting on Wednesday meme.

This week's upcoming book spotlights are: 

Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender
Publication: November 12th, 2019

Orbit

Paperback. 400 pages.

Pre-order: Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

**Please note that the above are affiliate links!

From Goodreads:

"An ambitious young woman with the power to control minds seeks vengeance against the royals who murdered her family, in a Caribbean-inspired fantasy world embattled by colonial oppression. 

Sigourney Rose is the only surviving daughter of a noble lineage on the islands of Hans Lollik. When she was a child, her family was murdered by the islands’ colonizers, who have massacred and enslaved generations of her people—and now, Sigourney is ready to exact her revenge. 

When the childless king of the islands declares that he will choose his successor from amongst eligible noble families, Sigourney uses her ability to read and control minds to manipulate her way onto the royal island and into the ranks of the ruling colonizers. But when she arrives, prepared to fight for control of all the islands, Sigourney finds herself the target of a dangerous, unknown magic. 

Someone is killing off the ruling families to clear a path to the throne. As the bodies pile up and all eyes regard her with suspicion, Sigourney must find allies among her prey and the murderer among her peers... lest she become the next victim."

I'm not sure if I've ever read a Caribbean-inspired fantasy world, so that alone draws me to this one! I'm also really into the idea that the protagonist is actually the one who wants power and is actively trying to get it--usually we always follow protagonists that don't want power or something!

and...

Songs from the Deep by Kelly Powell

Publication: November 5th, 2019

Margaret K. McElderry Books

Hardcover. 304 pages.

Pre-order: Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

**Please note that the above are affiliate links!

From Goodreads:

"A girl searches for a killer on an island where deadly sirens lurk just beneath the waves in this gripping, atmospheric debut novel. 

The sea holds many secrets.

Moira Alexander has always been fascinated by the deadly sirens who lurk along the shores of her island town. Even though their haunting songs can lure anyone to a swift and watery grave, she gets as close to them as she can, playing her violin on the edge of the enchanted sea. When a young boy is found dead on the beach, the islanders assume that he's one of the sirens’ victims. Moira isn’t so sure. 

Certain that someone has framed the boy’s death as a siren attack, Moira convinces her childhood friend, the lighthouse keeper Jude Osric, to help her find the real killer, rekindling their friendship in the process. With townspeople itching to hunt the sirens down, and their own secrets threatening to unravel their fragile new alliance, Moira and Jude must race against time to stop the killer before it’s too late—for humans and sirens alike."

I love a good siren and I'm interested to see how those elements are incorporated into this story!

What do you think about these upcoming releases? What are your anticipated upcoming releases?

Review: Jade War (Green Bone Saga #2) by Fonda Lee

Jade War (Green Bone Saga #2) by Fonda Lee

Orbit

Publication Date: July 23rd, 2019

Hardcover. 590 pages

About Jade War:

"On the island of Kekon, the Kaul family is locked in a violent feud for control of the capital city and the supply of magical jade that endows trained Green Bone warriors with supernatural powers they alone have possessed for hundreds of years. 

Beyond Kekon's borders, war is brewing. Powerful foreign governments and mercenary criminal kingpins alike turn their eyes on the island nation. Jade, Kekon's most prized resource, could make them rich - or give them the edge they'd need to topple their rivals. 

Faced with threats on all sides, the Kaul family is forced to form new and dangerous alliances, confront enemies in the darkest streets and the tallest office towers, and put honor aside in order to do whatever it takes to ensure their own survival - and that of all the Green Bones of Kekon."

Book #1: Jade City

Oh boy, where do I even begin this review? I thought Jade City was an intense ride, but apparently it was child's play compared to the events of Jade War! I'll admit, as excited as I was to finally have Jade War in my hands, I was almost a little nervous since I read Jade City back in 2017 and wasn't sure if it would live up the crazy expectations I was holding out for--and it ended up exceeding them!

It was so easy to jump back into the Green Bone Saga and the rife struggles between the No Peak and Mountain clans. Lee did a great job of setting the scene and making it easy to fall back into this world. When there's a long wait between books I tend to have a hard time getting back into the story and remembering past events, but something about how Lee gave gentle reminders of past events and continued the emotions and past plot points of the first book made it unbelievably easy to slide back into the story.

Something that I have grown to love about Lee's work is how well she develops her characters. There are no cookie-cutter types in these books; everyone stands out on their own as an individualized and independent person with a variety of motivations and traits that shape how they interact with the world around them. Hilo, now acting as Pillar, has immense amounts of pressure weighing down his shoulders, but he manages his role with a surprisingly adept ability and works hard to live up to his predecessors. Shae, now Weather Man to Hilo, has many of the same pressures as Hilo, though they manifest in different ways that force her to overcome her own unique obstacles. There's also Anden, Hilo's nephew, struggling to navigate his life after the fateful and dramatic decision he made in the first book. He grows a lot in this book and embarks upon some fairly life-changing courses of action that only added to the intensity of the story. Watching these three characters in particular navigate their new roles and the relationships that come with them was truly enjoyable and made for a fantastic reading experience. There are many other characters that we follow and whose POV we get to experience and it's safe to say that all of them are equally engaging.

If you thought the politics--from family politics to international-- economics, and clan tensions were intense in Jade City, braces yourselves because things move onto an entirely new level in this installment. One of my favorite things about this series so far is how Lee writes the political and economic aspects of her world. No matter what tensions or drama might be going on in the family or between clans, the current political situation, potential ramifications, and economic issues are also just as present and important, cementing the reality of this world. As readers, we are taken into many intense meetings with either Hilo or Shae (or both) and their trade partners, enemies, etc. so many different times in this book and it's utterly fascinating. You might think reading a discussion between two parties about trading jade or how to handle another economic situation might be on the dry side, but I promise you it is anything but in these books. The tension is at a near-constant presence in this book and as a result everything becomes gripping with edge-of-your-seat consequences as well.

The world-building continued to grow in so many exciting ways. In Jade War, Anden finds himself in Espenia, a foreign land that brings a lot of new experiences for him. I liked not only getting to explore a new land in this world, but also seeing how various cultures live and the differences between growing up in the No Peak clan surrounded by Green Bones and now experiencing a place where Green Bones are not (overtly) present or even allowed. I think it was a great way of showcasing how different people and various nations are, while also pointing out that the motivations and drive behind so many actions can still be similar on a human level.

Lee's action-heavy sequences are incredibly detailed and well thought out. It's obvious that she has done immense research to make everything as realistic and logical as possible, and it absolutely pays off. As I've mentioned before, I find it easy to lose my attention in high action sequences and drawn out fight scenes, but Lee manages to write them in ways where I almost don't even realize I'm reading them because they're just so captivating and accessible to follow.

Jade War has a mostly steady pace, taking time to expand upon areas that need it, while also knowing when it's a good time to speed things up a bit. There are frequent larger time jumps throughout Jade War, which admittedly did throw me off occasionally, but at the same time I appreciate how it helped keep the plot moving at a swift pace.


Overall, I can't help but give Jade War five stars! This is truly an incredible series and I highly recommend everyone to pick it up!

*I received an ARC of Jade War courtesy of Orbit books in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating or enjoyment of the novel.*

Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

Review: The House of Sacrifice by Anna Smith Spark

The House of Sacrifice (Empires of Dust #3) by Anna Smith Spark

Orbit

Publication Date: August 13th, 2019

Paperback. 480 pages

About The House of Sacrifice:

"Marith's power is growing. His empire stretches across half the world, and allies are flocking to his banner to share the spoils of war. With Thalia ruling at his side they are unstoppable. 

But Marith is become increasingly mentally unstable and their victories cannot continue forever."

Reviews for books one and two:
The Court of Broken Knives
The Tower of Living and Dying


Now this was a satisfying ending to a truly remarkable trilogy that has left me speechless on more than one occasion.

The poetic and literature nature of Spark's writing has done nothing but flourish throughout this trilogy, and it remains as vibrant and immersive as ever in The House of Sacrifice. Spark's prose is, as I've said before, more of an experience than it is anything else. It's really not for everyone and I totally understand that, but I'm so glad that I love it as much as I do and find it absolutely beautiful. This is going to be one of those reviews where I can't get too specific on plot or other details because I don't want to give anything away, but I'll still share all of my non-spoiler thoughts to the best of my abilities.

This installment had a marked shift in the events of the story from the other books. In this story, Marith has essentially taken over almost everything he wants to, Thalia is still by his side, it looks as though there is no end in sight for the victories of his army, and Marith is beginning to lose his marbles a bit. Well, okay, a bit more. Despite some gory moments and occasional sieges, the first half of the book had a sort of lack of urgency that I really enjoyed,. It's not that nothing was happening or there were no stakes, but it just had this sense of normalcy from Marith and his army in how they continually sacked cities that translated really well through Spark's writing and allowed me to really understand that sense of glorified monotony. Soon enough, however, things heated up once again and the stakes were cranked up into something that had me continuously turning the pages. 

The story is split into three parts and within those parts we follow many of the same compelling perspectives as before: Marith, Thalia, Tobias, Orhan, and Landra. I love getting into the heads of Martih and Thalia in particular, two of the most flawed characters who make up the most dysfunctional couple I've ever seen--and yet, somehow, it all works. Orhan is another POV that I always enjoy following. He has this hopeless sense of humor that is full of dread, yet he maintains a very distinct personality that shines through in his chapters. 

The world-building has long been established by this final installment and previous books have included plenty of travel that explores it, but I still enjoyed how much of the world was explored in this book as well. Marith's army travels around to new places during their quest to take over everything, all of it eventually coming a head in the golden city of Sorlost. This is a harsh world that feels entirely unpredictable most of the time (especially thanks to the help of some pretty intense dragons) and always manages to keep things unpredictable. Something about the world that might seem sort of minor that I love is how Spark manages to include a glimpse into what the 'regular' people of this world are doing. It's not anything that takes up much space or time in the novel, but the occasional mention in the narrative or dialogue remark from a character that notes how civilians are reacting to these events, how it takes so long for news to travel to them, etc. just really stood out to me and added a certain level of credence to the story that I appreciated. 

If you were worried that this book was any less intense than the previous two, then I'm here to allay your fears: there's plenty of gore and violence, all done in a style that is both poetic and blunt at the same time. Spark just has this way of using language to effortlessly both convey and evoke a wide variety of emotions in her readers and to build a strong atmosphere. Even though the plot itself didn't feel as intense--at least in the first half--as I mentioned before, the brutality of this world and those within it was not lessened at all. The ending was bittersweet, both tragic and beautiful in its own right and I couldn't have asked for anything else. Every character arc left me feeling wholly satisfied with their fate, though I am sorry to see the end of their--and my--journey in this world. I have no idea what Spark plans to do next, but I have high hopes for anything she writes and will be first in line to check it out.

Overall, I've given The House of Sacrifice five stars! If you've enjoyed the first two books in this trilogy, then I have no doubts that you will always love this one.

*I received an ARC of The House of Sacrifice courtesy of Orbit books in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating or enjoyment of the novel.*

Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Jade War by Fonda Lee & The Golden Hour by Beatriz Williams

 

Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released! This meme is based off of Jill @ Breaking the Spine's Waiting on Wednesday meme.

This week's upcoming book spotlight is: 

Jade War by Fonda Lee
Publication: July 23rd, 2019

Orbit

Hardcover. 608 pages.

Pre-order: Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

From Goodreads:

"In Jade War, the sequel to the World Fantasy Award-winning novel Jade City, the Kaul siblings battle rival clans for honor and control over an Asia-inspired fantasy metropolis. 

On the island of Kekon, the Kaul family is locked in a violent feud for control of the capital city and the supply of magical jade that endows trained Green Bone warriors with supernatural powers they alone have possessed for hundreds of years. 

Beyond Kekon's borders, war is brewing. Powerful foreign governments and mercenary criminal kingpins alike turn their eyes on the island nation. Jade, Kekon's most prized resource, could make them rich - or give them the edge they'd need to topple their rivals. 

Faced with threats on all sides, the Kaul family is forced to form new and dangerous alliances, confront enemies in the darkest streets and the tallest office towers, and put honor aside in order to do whatever it takes to ensure their own survival - and that of all the Green Bones of Kekon. 

Jade War is the second book of the Green Bone Saga, an epic trilogy about family, honor, and those who live and die by the ancient laws of blood and jade."

I know I've already mentioned this book a few times on here, but I'm just so looking forward to finally continuing this story! I loved the Asian setting and magic and politics systems were fascinating.

and...

The Golden Hour by Beatriz Williams

Publication: July 9th, 2019

William Morrow

Hardcover. 480 pages.

Pre-order: Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

From Goodreads:

"The Bahamas, 1941. Newly-widowed Leonora “Lulu” Randolph arrives in Nassau to investigate the Governor and his wife for a New York society magazine. After all, American readers have an insatiable appetite for news of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, that glamorous couple whose love affair nearly brought the British monarchy to its knees five years earlier. What more intriguing backdrop for their romance than a wartime Caribbean paradise, a colonial playground for kingpins of ill-gotten empires? 

Or so Lulu imagines. But as she infiltrates the Duke and Duchess’s social circle, and the powerful cabal that controls the islands’ political and financial affairs, she uncovers evidence that beneath the glister of Wallis and Edward’s marriage lies an ugly—and even treasonous—reality. In fact, Windsor-era Nassau seethes with spies, financial swindles, and racial tension, and in the middle of it all stands Benedict Thorpe: a scientist of tremendous charm and murky national loyalties. Inevitably, the willful and wounded Lulu falls in love. 

Then Nassau’s wealthiest man is murdered in one of the most notorious cases of the century, and the resulting coverup reeks of royal privilege. Benedict Thorpe disappears without a trace, and Lulu embarks on a journey to London and beyond to unpick Thorpe’s complicated family history: a fateful love affair, a wartime tragedy, and a mother from whom all joy is stolen. 

The stories of two unforgettable women thread together in this extraordinary epic of espionage, sacrifice, human love, and human courage, set against a shocking true crime . . . and the rise and fall of a legendary royal couple."

Beatriz Williams is a historical fiction author I keep meaning to check out, and this book sounds like as good a place as any to start! I'm always hesitant on my books set during WWII, but this setting and general plot setup sounds like a really new and interesting take.

What do you think about these upcoming releases? What are your anticipated upcoming releases?

Can't-Wait Wednesday: The Last Astronaut by David Wellington & Professor Renoir's Collection of Oddities, Curiosities, and Delights by Randall Platt

 

Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released! This meme is based off of Jill @ Breaking the Spine's Waiting on Wednesday meme.

This week's upcoming book spotlight is: 

The Last Astronaut by David Wellington

Publication: July 23rd, 2019

Orbit

Paperback. 400 pages.

Pre-order: Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

From Goodreads:

"Sally Jensen--once a famous astronaut--thought her days in space were over. She was wrong. 

The object entered our solar system, slowed down off the rings of Saturn, and began a steady approach towards Earth. No one knows what its purpose is. It has made no attempt at communication and has ignored all of NASA's transmissions. 

Having forsaken manned flight, the space programs of the world scramble to enlist forcefully-retired NASA legend Sally Jensen--the only person with the first-hand operational knowledge needed to execute a mission to make contact. 

With no time to spare she must lead a crew with no experience farther than mankind has ever traveled, to a visitor whose intentions are far from clear...and who, with each passing day, gets closer to home."

I'm a sucker for any space-related sci-fi thriller, so this sounds pretty much right up my alley. This is a slightly different concept from other recent space-related books I've read, so I'm particularly intrigued for that.

and...

Professor Renoir's Collection of Oddities, Curiosities, and Delights by Randall Platt

Publication: July 23rd, 2019

HarperCollins

Hardcover. 416 pages.

Pre-order: Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

From Goodreads:

"In this vivid, entertaining, and authentic historical novel set in the world of a traveling carnival in 1896, two fourteen-year-old girls—one a giant and the other a dwarf—start out as enemies but soon come to depend on one another to escape the clutches of an evil carnie owner who wants to kill and stuff their beloved animals. For fans of The One and Only Ivan and Water for Elephants. 

The year is 1896, and Fern “Babe” Killingsworth is fourteen years old, six-foot-nine inches, and weighs 342 lbs. When her father sells her for a hundred dollars to Professor Phillipe Renoir, Babe has nothing to lose. She’s hoping she’ll find something worthwhile working alongside the other “freaks” in Professor Renoir’s Collection of Oddities, Curiosities, and Delights. 

When Babe meets Carlotta, the tiny performer seems like nothing more than a spoiled diva. “I’m a dwarf, not a midget!” says the diminutive dancer—but soon the two are partners in crime, eventually disgusted by the conditions and treatment they experience in carnie life, and especially afraid of Renoir’s threats to kill and stuff their beloved animal companions, an elephant, a chimp, and a bear. When the two girls get good news in a letter, they run away from Renoir and find themselves in a much better situation at the home of Carlotta’s aunt—but will it be the last stop for Babe?"

This sounds so quirky and fun! I love the historical setting and anything with carnivals are pretty much an automatic yes from me. Can't wait to check this one out!

What do you think about these upcoming releases? What are your anticipated upcoming releases?

Double Reviews: The Defiant Heir & The Unbound Empire by Melissa Caruso (Sword and Fire #2 & #3)

The Defiant Heir (Sword and Fire #2) by Melissa Caruso 

April 19th, 2018

Orbit

The Tethered Mage was a fantastic 2017 debut that I immediately loved. I had high hopes for this trilogy and anticipated that it was only going to get better, and let me tell you, it exceeded those expectations more than I could have ever possibly imagined. The world keeps expanding and Caruso’s skills at writing become more and more apparent as the story moves on.

The Defiant Heir is where this trilogy really seems to ramp up on the political components and also the sheer gravity of all the stakes involved. The first book certainly had intense moments with some fairly high stakes, but this book takes it to another level of depth with more lives are on the line. The story picks up a short time after the final events of The Tethered Mage when things in Raverra aren't in an immediately dire situation, but they aren't exactly calm and worriless, either. There is unrest among the Falcons and Falconer, especially as some start being murdered and fear begins to rise. This is also where the Witch Lords begin to gain importance to the plot, as there is now question whether the Witch Lords are behind this, and thus the plot begins to expand.

I’ve really liked learning about the relationship between the Falcons and Falconers and the political ramifications that go along with that. It’s one of those situations where it’s not an overtly negative situation, but it’s certainly not a positive one, either. I’ve been intrigued by the ways in which people want to rectify how this is handled, and I appreciate Amalia’s understanding and empathy for those who must live in the Mews.

The best part about this book, other than the incredible political maneuverings and intelligent dialogue, is that we get to visit more of the world and explore more locations. Events of this book lead our characters to Vaskander, which thereby allows us to explore more of this land and the Witch Lords that inhabit it. I particularly loved learning about the magic and political methods of the Witch Lords and how they all seem to have a unique sort of style or theme associated with them, such as the Lady of Spiders who is just as horrifying to be around as you might imagine. In addition, there are also many additional characters introduced that take on important roles and add so much more color to this world in both positive and negative ways.

Amalia continues to impress me. She is slowly learning to take on the role her mother has been grooming her for and while also beginning to take more risks associated with her station for the good of Raverra. She’s an extremely knowledgeable character, which I appreciate, and I enjoyed researching more about the magic and history of this world along with her. Zaira, of course, continues to be a grumpy gem of a woman that I can’t help but love, and I have so enjoyed seeing her and Amalia’s relationship develop from strangers (where Zaira hardly tolerates Amalia) into something maybe possibly resembling friendship.

In this book, we also get introduced to Kathe, a Witch Lord that seems interested in working with Amalia--or rather, in trading favors and using one another for political gain. Kathe is one of those dark, mysterious characters that seems tricky and not entirely trustworthy, but you also just can't help but be intrigued by him and want to find out what he's doing constantly.

I could continue going on about this book probably endlessly, but as I’m writing two reviews for this trilogy today, I’m going to keep this one a bit brief in order to jump into the review for The Unbound Empire! Overall, I’ve easily given The Defiant Heir four and a half stars.

*I received a review copy of The Defiant Heir courtesy of Orbit (thanks, Paola!) in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating of the novel.*

Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

The Unbound Empire (Sword and Fire #3) by Melissa Caruso

April 25th, 2019

Orbit

I could not have asked for a better or more satisfying ending to a trilogy.

For as intense and unpredictable as The Defiant Heir was, The Unbound Empire is--somehow--even more intense and unpredictable. I was constantly on my toes, constantly dying to pick this book up whenever I wasn't reading it, and more engaged with these characters than any I've been with in a long time.

Much like in the previous books, the world-building and magic system are wonderfully crafted and full of depth. Since I have written two reviews for this trilogy so far and touched more on the world-building, magic system, etc., I'm going to mostly skip over that in this review because all I can really say about it is that I loved it just as much as in the previous two books, if not more. Caruso has developed a world that is expansive, compelling, magical, and full of intrigue; it's complex, but as I’ve mentioned before, it's not too complex to where enjoyment is lessened.

It's hard to even know where to start when talking about this book because all I really want to do is simply rave. The characters continue to grow and develop in so many ways that felt entirely realistic and logical. Characters underwent changes that I couldn't have predicted and that left me devastated at what might happen to them in the end, as well as changes that left me falling in love with them even more. Amalia and Zaira continue to be one of the best friendships I've ever seen developed in a book in a while. Their back-and-forth bickering now comes more from a place of heart and understanding, and I love how Zaira's no-sense, endlessly practical side blends so well with Amalia's own logical yet more emotional side. They both work to keep one another in check in the best ways possible, making them truly a wonderful pair. I also grew to love Kathe even more in this book than I imagined I would, and I'm so glad where Caruso decided to take his storyline.

As for the pacing, plotting, and politics in The Unbound Empire, Caruso executed this book almost to perfection. I genuinely had no idea what was going to happen at any particular time. This entire book has a bit of dread and intensity looming at every moment, though there was a wonderfully even mix of plotting and "relaxing" with other characters and more intense battle-like scenes or scenes of pursuit and confrontations. Similarly, the politics play a steady role throughout the book, more overt and abundant in the beginning, but still forming a constant presence in the background at all times, especially when it comes to the various decisions made by characters. I really liked how Caruso had everything play a role, incorporating both moral and ethical elements as well as those that would be most beneficial to a country or land. The way Caruso handles topics in such a deft way is remarkable and kept me constantly hooked. She really dives deep into difficult moral crossroads and explores the various paths that can be taken by these characters in a logical and interesting manner. This is not a shallow book about one land’s struggles, but rather a book that tackles real-world themes and conflicts that really makes you think.

Overall, I've given The Unbound Empire and well-deserved five stars. I can't believe how fantastic this trilogy was and I can't wait to re-read it sometime. If you're looking for a completed fantasy trilogy with incredible characters, a rich world, an interesting magic system, and plenty of politics, then I implore you to give the Sword and Fire trilogy a chance!

*I received a review copy of The Unbound Empire courtesy of Orbit (thanks again, Paola!) in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating of the novel.*

Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

Review: Fray by Rowenna Miller

Fray (The Unraveled Kingdom #2) by Rowenna Miller
Orbit
Publication: June 4th, 2019

Paperback. 496 pages.

About Fray:

"In this epic sequel to Torn, the magical seamstress Sophie Balstrade navigates a royal court and foreign alliances fraught with danger -- and may well have to risk everything for love and for country. 

Open revolt has been thwarted -- for now -- but unrest still simmers in the kingdom of Galitha. Sophie, despite having built a thriving business on her skill at both dressmaking and magic, has not escaped unscathed from her misadventures in the workers' rebellion. Her dangerous foray into curse casting has rendered her powers unpredictable, and her increasingly visible romantic entanglement with the Crown Prince makes her a convenient target for threatened nobles and malcontented commoners alike. With domestic political reform and international alliances -- and her own life -- at stake, Sophie must discern friend from foe... before her magic grows too dark for her to wield."

When I read Torn, the first book in the Unraveled Kingdom trilogy, I was excited by how much I fell in love with the world, magic system, and main character Sophie Balstrade. I'd been anticipating picking up Fray ever since, and it managed to up the intensity and plot to even further than I expected.

This series has always had politics at its core, but Fray took this trilogy to even higher political heights than in Torn. There is so much plotting and planning and political maneuvering that I almost started feeling dizzy at times--and it was brilliant. Miller does a wonderful job of creating a historical-inspired setting with strong political and social world-building, as well as developing a feel for the natural environments of the different locations that exist within it.

Sophie remains a truly charming character. What I love so much about her is that she is far from perfect and comes into this story with her own preconceptions and ideas about social classes, how to make improvements, and many other world views. It is through her experiences, the experiences of others, and her dealings with others that she continues to expand her viewpoint on the world and become a better person everyday. What really stands out about her is that she is not afraid to admit if she is ignorant in regards to a specific topic and will not attempt to force out an uninformed opinion, a trait that I find rather mature and impressive. Her strength really shines in how tough she has to be when dealing with an extensive amount of people who have developed their own hatred for her for how she is helping the lower classes. There were a few things I didn't love about what she chose to do at various crossroads and that felt slightly out of character, especially in regards to her prized clothing store, but I also see this as a turning point for Sophie as she embarks upon a new phase of her life. Plus, I have no idea what could still happen in the next book.

Theodor is another character that comes into the story from a very specific background with fairly specific viewpoints, but he grows as a person in the first book and also in this book. He is another great example of how well Miller can develop multi-dimensional character with real human growth and struggles. Nobody's perfect in this book--the "good" guys sometimes need to learn things, the "bad" characters can sometimes make sense, and in a sense many of the people who aren't outwardly bad do many things that are seen as welcome and positive by some, whereas others would see those actions as wholly negative and unhelpful.

I really love how Miller handled the issue of a revolution from lower classes of citizens against the elite. Sophie is used as a sort of middle man, since she is now engaged to Theodor and can actively try to influence the elite. In doing this, Miller touches on the difficulties of Sophie struggling to make everybody happy. The lower class want a lot all at once, but they have to start off by taking only a little, which they say as being counterproductive when in reality it is the best way for them to get what they want. It was exciting to see how she worked all of this out and showcased it in the ways that she did. The violence that erupts as a result of misunderstood actions or overly passionate feelings coming to a boil place an enormous role in this story as well, and I appreciated how she incorporated all components into a cohesive and thought-provoking novel.

And of course one of the things I love most about this trilogy--the magic! I loved getting to explore more about the depths of this magic, including the darker side of it and how it can be manipulated for bad intentions as well as good, which Sophie usually does.

Overall, I've given Fray 4.75 stars! I cannot wait for the finale!

*I received a copy of Fray in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating of the novel.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound

Review: A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World

A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World by C.A. Fletcher

Orbit
Publication: April 23rd, 2019

Hardcover. 388 pages.

About A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World:

"My name's Griz. My childhood wasn't like yours. 

I've never had friends, and in my whole life I've not met enough people to play a game of football. My parents told me how crowded the world used to be, but we were never lonely on our remote island. We had each other, and our dogs. 

Then the thief came. 

There may be no law left except what you make of it. But if you steal my dog, you can at least expect me to come after you.

 Because if we aren't loyal to the things we love, what's the point?."

A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World is a remarkable, heartbreaking, and almost meditative journey for both the reader and the main character in this book.

To be completely frank, I was initially rather hesitant to read this book in the first place because I knew that a dog would be a prominent character and I also knew that it was going to be stolen. This doesn't bode well for my inability to handle any book or movie in which a dog is harmed or placed in harm's way, but I started seeing a ton of glowing early reviews and decided I needed to read it anyway...and it's absolutely worth it. I can't tell you anything about the fate of said dog, but I can tell you that this book is worth your time and emotions because of it's incredible and touching nature. 

The author specifically requests at the beginning of the book that readers refrain from sharing spoilers of the book, and though I generally keep all of my reviews spoilers free, I will take extra care in this review to keep things rather general and not too detailed when it comes to plot points and characters. This actually works well for me because this book is a journey that every reader needs to experience by themselves. You don't need to read a huge review of this book before reading it--it speaks for itself. That being said, I'm still sharing my thoughts!

A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World is told from Griz's POV in a journal format. Griz sets up his journal as if he's writing to a specific person that we don't know, but he's really just writing it so as to keep his story somewhere. It's the end of the world, so the amount of people still available to talk to or share things with is, well, rather slim. Because of the journal setup, the writing style is a very readable conversation-style that pretty much made me fly through this book. However, there were a few areas where Griz would explain certain things he was doing, such as in relation to how he maneuvered his boat or built something, that did admittedly drag a little, but for me this really just fit the entire narrative style of Griz sharing his entire journey--not just the exciting bits. 

I loved Griz's honest and blunt nature as he slowly discovers the world and the types of people that once inhabited it. Accompanying Griz on his journey into a world he's never experienced was one of the most wonderful parts of this book, as he discovers and learns about all the different things people did in the "Before," including amusement parks and various buildings, as well as contemplating things such as the existence of zoos and what happened to the animals. Griz is also a huge book lover, which of course spoke to me at many times throughout the book, and I'm positive that other book lovers will identify with Griz as well. And, of course, if you love dogs as much as Griz (or myself), then you'll identify with the amount and type of love that he has for his dog and why he will literally travel the world just to try to find it. Because, as Griz says, "if we aren't loyal to the things we love, what's the point?"

As mentioned, I won't go into specifics in regards to individual characters, but suffice to say that each character payed some form of a crucial role in this book in one way or another. Whether it was because a character physically interacted with Griz and affected his journey or simply impacted Griz's thoughts or actions in some way, the development of role of each character was truly outstanding.

This book also plays with a lot of themes that have left me thinking about them a lot. The simplest of them all seems to be simply to be kind to others and not resort unnecessarily to hate, anger, or violence. There's also the bond between man and dog, something that I think many readers can easily relate to. There are also a lot of small almost throwaway comments that Griz makes at various points in the book that are actually very poignant and make you stop and think, something that really made me continue to fall in love with this book. This book is filled to the brim with discover, humor, strong emotional moments, joy, anger, and motivation to be a person you can respect. 

Overall, I've given A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World 4.5 stars! 

*I received a copy of A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating of the novel.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository | IndieBound