Tag: YA fantasy

The Battle Drum by Saara El-Arifi

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The Battle Drum is a stunning sequel to The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi. I love how this author expanded upon the world being created. Especially with the inclusion of different cultures as inspiration for some of it. So far, I have not been disappointed at all throughout this series.

Sylah, Anoor, and Hassa show their bravery and courage in different ways. Hassa, in particular, is a favorite of mine. Jond also is an intriguing character in this book, only leading me to fall even more in love with this story.

I really don’t want to give anything away, so I shall leave on this note. If you enjoyed The Final Strife or think you just might like this series, then I can not recommend picking these books up more! I feel like so many aspects to this story need to be told, and I’m so happy I got to read more!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

Out May 23, 2023!

Venom and Vow by Anna-Marie Mclemore and Elliott Mclemore 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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I absolutely loved this. The representation is so beautifully done. These authors wove together a fascinating tale that, above all else, speaks on love.

I thought the storyline started slow, but as the two main characters became more familiar with each other, I began to fall in love with this book.

A transgender prince finds himself up against a bigender assassin. Their land has been cursed, including stealing away many adults in charge of their respective kingdoms. However, as these two enemies begin to fall for each other, it becomes clear that action must be taken now to break this curse.

I didn’t start out loving everything in this story bc it started slow, and I had a difficult time grasping the full picture of the plot, but this turned out to be really remarkable, in my opinion!

Out May 16, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

To Shape a Dragon’ Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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This excellent steampunk world that also has dragons was not only fun but also very poignant about the reality of colonialism and racism (many of these factors still exist today).

I loved the energy here. The author did not hold back with this main character. I felt pure pride reading about this MC challenging every misconception of her people and standing up against any slight.

This is a great fantasy with a lot of attention to the details, which is what really highlights it as steampunk to me. These small details of designs to either create machinery or to control a dragons breath are simply fantastic.

I will say that parts of this book seriously dragged for me and seemed a bit slow. But I am so glad I kept reading because the ending is wild!

Out May 9, 2023!

I’m Not Supposed to be In the Dark by Riss. M. Neilson 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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This story immediately pulled me in. I loved the main character, Aria, and I found that this whole story was just so well written and composed that I couldn’t help but enjoy this.

Aria has a secret power. She’s not really sure. In the very beginning of the book, she stops drinking the tea her mother and grandfather always push on her, and she begins to see into a gray world, some spirits. But, I’m getting ahead of myself. Her power doesn’t fully come into play until later in the story, but it is there the whole time.

She begins noticing some oddities about her neighbors. Her ex-bestfriend, Derek, lives next door. And, he is really acting strange. It’s almost like it’s not exactly him sometimes. In her search to help Derek, Aria also finds out a lot about herself.

I love this cover!!! And, throughout this story, the author includes some beautiful descriptions of Wisteria. (I just wish I didn’t have allergies! But I love Wisteria season!)

Overall, I really enjoyed this!

Out May 9, 2023!

The Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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I had high expectations for this book, and it went beyond those plus another billion high.  This is my new favorite ya series right now! I have not been so invested in a ya fantasy in a while, and this had me heart and soul.  Very character driven,  plot driven also.  But these characters,  Selly, Leander, and Keegan, feel like my new best book friends. 

A sentinel goddess that requires a sacrifice, a slumbering god that needs to awaken.  These are the two sides of a war that seem hellbent on coming.  Leander is a prince who is journeying to make a sacrifice to his kingdom’s goddess, unknowingly entering dangerous waters on Selly’s ship.  Keegan, a scholar, is also aboard, unwittingly being dragged into the middle of history in the making.

What they don’t know is that the country across from them has been paying attention.  Particularly Laskia, dying to prove that she is better and worth more than her infamous sister.

I cried 5 times reading this, and I really never cry in books.  This author had me instantly feeling attached to these characters and their emotions,  so yeah… some tearjerker moments had me. 

Out May 2, 2023!

Damsel by Evelyn Skye 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Elodie lives in a land that has been impoverished by drought, so when her father promises her hand in marriage to a prince of a rich kingdom, she is all for it.  I think what I really admired about Elodie is her tenacity to do anything for her people.  

What Elodie doesn’t know is that this rich, beautiful,  golden kingdom and its golden boy prince are going to leave her as a sacrifice to a dragon.  This is how their land stays so opulent and thriving.  

What nobody expects is Elodie fighting back.

I liked this book.  But I didn’t love it.  I felt that Elodie’s character could be more fleshed out with maybe a more interesting personality.   Much of this seemed a bit superficial and forced, which is not something I enjoy.  However, I love the idea and the strength of this character.

Out April 18, 2023!

A Hunger of Thorns by Lili Wilkinson 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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This is an outstanding demonstration of a very in-depth modern tale of beautiful magic with a deeply moving plot. This story had me in all my emotions. I was cheering on the main character and crying with her all at once. Like i said, this sincerely deeply moved me in the best of ways.

Maude has never really had the perfect life, but her childhood was pretty good. She had a great friend, Odette, and years full of magic and story-telling. Creating dolls and monsters from within her own imagination and Odette’s joy. But things get lost as one grows older. Children often lose their inner magic and even the best of friends don’t always remain close. In this case, magic seemed to flee from Maude’s grasp. In the rest of the world, it became something fake. Something easily bought and used by anyone and not very respected anymore.

Even though Odette and Maude are no longer close, Maude still feels a responsibility for Odette when her friend suddenly goes missing. A lost girl. But Maude knows she can find her. And, even more so, save her. She knows she can slay the dragon herself, however necessary.

This was inspiring and beautiful. Sad and yet, hopeful. I really enjoyed this.

Out April 18, 2023!

Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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I loved this book. The whole way through, from beginning to end, it kept my attention and had me wanting more.

This is a great fantasy with a lot of aspects taking place in our modern world and others in Avalon. Tamsin is an amazing character. I think she’s incredibly dynamic. She has abandonment issues from the time her and her brother were left by their guardian at a young age. This left them both to scavenge and continue stealing magical artifacts for money.

When Tamsin decides to go after an important artifact for a sorceress that will pay well, she takes on a bit more than expected, and she finds herself in a completely different and very magical situation.

This book stopped at a major cliffhanger. Suffice to say, I will be waiting for the sequel and I’m so excited!

Out April 4, 2023!

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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I had no idea how much I would end up loving this! Rebecca Ross has created such an enchanting and passionate story here.  (And, the romance is just out of this world!)

Iris Winnow is vying for the role of columnist at the Gazette. She is trying to win this title over her rival, Roman Kitt. (Yes!! Enemies to lovers!! And it is amazing!)

At this time, there is a war being fought between a god and goddess. Men and women are being called to fight for either side, including Iris’s brother, Forest.   After 6 months of him missing,  Iris makes it her goal to find him.  After her mother’s sudden death, she signs up to be a war correspondent and makes her way to the war zone.

This story has magical typewriters,  stories on the lore of the god and goddess,  and seamlessly throughout all of this, the most romantic couple I’ve read about in a while.  

Out April 4, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Wednesday Books, for this Arc!

In Nightfall by Suzanne Young 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!!

Yes! A Lost Boys retelling, except the ladies are the boss in this one?? What? Do you think I loved this? I want to stomp down in front of some kind of audience and just slam this book on the table… BOOM. This was so good!

It’s witty, charming, fast-paced, and exciting. And, there were some real thrills and chills in this story! Theo and her brother Marco find themselves in Nightfall, Oregon, for the summer with their dad. They are staying with their grandma, who definitely comes across as a strange character. But, what’s even stranger are the locals. Theo and Marco are both immediately picked up by some very attractive people. Somehow supermodel stage ready in this small rainy town.

One of the things I really loved were the podcasters. Two horror/reality podcasters were visiting and luckily Theo quickly befriended them. Theo is a great character. Her reaction to everything is super on par with how I would react, lol. She felt very real to me. So, I loved reading her perspective.

This was an absolute blast and I completely enjoyed this!

Out March 28, 2023!