Review: Tear Down the Throne

 

* Book 2 in the Gargoyle Queen trilogy *

Gemma is still trying to understand the game of Queen Maeven Morricone of Morta - but she never imagines this. At the Summit for negotiations, Queen Mavel invokes an ancient tradition. Where her son, Leo, will take on three challenges in order to win Princess Gemma's hand. 

 Everyone is in an uproar over this challenge. If Leo fails any of the challenges, he could die. He doesn't seem to mind the challenge. Gemma doesn't want to be tied to the Mortans. 

She doesn't trust any of them including Leo. Maven always plays the long game - Gemma's desperate to figure out what her game is this time. And why she's playing with Gemma's future. 

 One wrong move at the Summit could spell trouble for her whole country.

 My Thoughts: I loved this one - for the politics, the spies, the food descriptions, the friendships, and the romance. Mave n is so terrible and yet part of me admires her. She's a great character. I felt horrible for Leo and for all that he has to endure in these trials. Lots of action, drama, and danger in this one. I can't wait to see how everything shakes out! 

Cover Thoughts: Awesome

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your adult fantasy collection. Give Jennifer Estep's books to readers of Sarah J Maas. 

Review: Capture the Crown

 

* first in a new spin-off trilogy *

Princess Gemma is known for her lovely of jewels and pretty dresses. She isn't known for her work as a spy. But someone is stealing large amounts of tearstone from the mines. Gemma believes someone is planning to start a war and will be using the tearstone to make weapons. But first she has to uncover who's behind the thefts.

While undercover as a mine worker, she befriends another woman. But this woman has secrets and soon she tugs Gemma along into the conspiracy. There Gemma learns that a foreign prince is behind the theft, but not the foreign prince's brother who is being held against his will. Leo is Gemma's mortal enemy, but she's quick to realize that the enemy of my enemy might just be a friend.

But how does one trust your nemesis? 

My Thoughts: I loved this book. Jennifer Estep is a favorite author of mine. I loved the princess becoming a spy. No one would ever suspect her, which makes it perfect. But she does hear some interesting opinions about herself. I felt badly for her as the book weaves in her emotional turmoil from her childhood and how that has impacted her and her magic. I did love reading about Gemma (you see her in Kill the Queen). I loved Grimley the gargoyle and Gemma's new spy friend (I've forgotten her name, but she made me laugh). I loved the banter between Gemma and Leo. I loved Leo's sister. I even might admire Queen Maven - just a little bit. She's definitely playing the long game now and it makes me very curious to see what happens next!

Cover Thoughts: Love it

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your adult fantasy collection - as well as the previous trilogy if you don't own it.

* Hand this book to readers of Sarah Beth Durst and Sarah J Maas adult novels.

Review: Bone Maker

 

25 years ago, Kreya and her companions fought a war and won. Now she's desperately trying to keep the man she loved from dying permanently. After the war, she became a hermit, gathering small bones where she could. The bones help give her husband life, a little at a time. But in order to give her husband his life back, she needs lots of bones. There's only one place to get those bones, but she can't go alone.

She needs her old friend's help. It's not going to be easy, but for the sake her husband, she travels the cities. There Kreya meets with her old friend, who is happy and angry to see her. Eventually, they come to terms. 

Upon traveling to the Forbidden City, they stumble across something from their nightmares - something from the past. What if their enemy never died? What if he's just waiting for them...

My Thoughts: I loved the premise of this book - what happens after five heroes save the world? Where does their story end? I really liked Kreya's relationship with Zera. They have great banter. I love how they came back together after all those years apart. This is a creepy but fascinating book in terms of the bone magic and the animation creatures. I love the moments of friendship and trust between the five heroes. I loved the addition of the new people in their lives. It was interesting to explore the question - do people change? Another great book for Sarah Beth Durst - I love her books.  

Cover Thoughts: Creepy

Source: Netgalley 

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your public library's adult fantasy collection.

Review: Race the Sands

Everyone in Becar is reborn after death; your goodness in this life will determine your next life. The Augurs can read your fate, which can allow you to change your destiny before it's too late.

Tamra's daughter is studying to be a augur, but the cost of tuition is high. She needs a win - badly. After an incident with her kehok riders leaves her without students, she makes one last desperate plea to her sponsor. As a former elite rider herself, she knows what's needed to train a champion. She just hasn't had the best of luck the last few year.

Luckily, her patroness allows her funds to seek out another kehok and another rider. The choice she makes will change her life...forever.

My Thoughts: I really loved this book for several reasons: for the fierce women, for the world building, for the black lion, and for wanting to make the world a better place. I loved Tamra. She's a great mother figure who wants the best for her loved ones.  I loved her strength, her determination, and her willingness to go after her dreams. I loved Raia for the same reasons. They really did need each other. I loved the twists and turns of this book I never saw coming. I loved the secondary characters from Lady Evara to Dar to Augur Yorbel Although this is a stand alone novel, I wouldn't mind another story set in this world. Another fantastic read from Sarah Beth Durst.

Cover Thoughts: Love it!
Source: ARC for review
Library Recommendation: A great fantasy for the public library's adult collection!

* While this book is labels as an adult book, I would say it's A/YA crossover title.

Review: Deepest Blue

Mayara's wedding day has arrived. But during the festivities, a storm hits the island. Mayara uses her power to stop the spirits from destroying everyone and everything she loves. In that moment, she reveals herself. Now the Silent Ones have come to take her for testing.

Mayara tries to escape, but eventually she's caught. Now she's fighting for her life and the hope that she can she her husband again. In order to do so, she must survive a month on the island filled with spirits. Whoever survives becomes an heir to the Queen.

Mayara doesn't want to win, but she doesn't want to die either...

My Thoughts: Set in the same world as the Queens of Renthia series, this book takes places on the islands. I really enjoyed this book - for the power struggles, for the rebellion, for the love story, and for the action. I love Mayara's determination and her ability to break all the rules. I loved Kelo's art. I loved their relationship and how they fought to find each other again - one day. Another great addition to this series! 

Cover Thoughts:
Source: Book sent for review
Library Recommendation: Grab this book for your public libraries.

Review: Kill the Queen

* First in a new series *

Lady Everleigh learned the hard way never to trust anyone royal. She's been living in the palace ever since her parents died. While everyone has some form a magic, Lady Everleigh's hidden her secret immunity to magic - which helps her escape the palace.

Afterwards, she's forced to hide; she goes to the gladiator troupe that's been making headlines. The woman who leads it is a former palace guard. There she lies low until she can plot her next move.

But the Queen's leading the country towards unnecessary war and Lady Everleigh is the only person who might have a chance at stopping her - if she reveals her true identity

My Thoughts: I adored this book, I didn't want it to end. I loved Jennifer Estep's YA series Mythos Academy. When I saw this cover, I knew I had to read it. And it was just as amazing as I suspected. I loved the characters - both fierce and vulnerable. I loved the banter between them. I loved watching the friendships grow. I loved Lady Everleigh finding her footing and her place. But I also love how she stepped up when she was needed. I can't wait to read the next installment of this series!

Cover Thoughts: Loved it - it's perfect and magical!
Source: Book sent for review
Library Recommendation: Grab this for your adult fantasy collection 

Giveaway: Polaris Rising

 A space princess on the run and a notorious outlaw soldier become unlikely allies in this imaginative, sexy space opera adventure—the first in an exciting science fiction trilogy.

In the far distant future, the universe is officially ruled by the Royal Consortium, but the High Councillors, the heads of the three High Houses, wield the true power. As the fifth of six children, Ada von Hasenberg has no authority; her only value to her High House is as a pawn in a political marriage. When her father arranges for her to wed a noble from House Rockhurst, a man she neither wants nor loves, Ada seizes control of her own destiny. The spirited princess flees before the betrothal ceremony and disappears among the stars.

Ada eluded her father’s forces for two years, but now her luck has run out. To ensure she cannot escape again, the fiery princess is thrown into a prison cell with Marcus Loch. Known as the Devil of Fornax Zero, Loch is rumored to have killed his entire chain of command during the Fornax Rebellion, and the Consortium wants his head.

When the ship returning them to Earth is attacked by a battle cruiser from rival House Rockhurst, Ada realizes that if her jilted fiancé captures her, she’ll become a political prisoner and a liability to her House. Her only hope is to strike a deal with the dangerous fugitive: a fortune if he helps her escape.

But when you make a deal with an irresistibly attractive Devil, you may lose more than you bargained for . . .

Sounds great right? It comes out February 2019 but 1 winner will win an ARC from the blog and Avon Addicts!

US Only please!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Queen of Sorrow

* Book 3 in the Queens of Renthia series *

Queen Daleina has yearned to bring peace and prosperity to her beloved forest home—a hope that seemed doomed when neighboring forces invaded Aratay. Now, with the powerful Queen Naelin ruling by her side, Daleina believes that her dream of ushering in a new era can be realized, even in a land plagued by malevolent nature spirits who thirst for the end of human life.

And then Naelin’s children are kidnapped by spirits.

Nothing is more important to her than her family, and Naelin would rather watch the world burn than see her children harmed. Blaming the defeated Queen Merecot of Semo for the kidnapping, Naelin is ready to start a war—and has the power to do it.

But Merecot has grander plans than a bloody battle with her southern neighbors. Taking the children is merely one step in a plot to change the future of all Renthia, either by ending the threat of spirits once and for all . . . or plunging the world into chaos. - from the publisher.

Since this is the 3rd book in the series, I don't want to give away any spoilers, so instead of my thoughts (I adore this series) here's a list of reasons to read it:
Politics
Queens - all of them are strong powerful women
Idea of Spirits
The creation of the library
Romance
Friendship
Betrayal
Secrets
Bayn
Humor

If you like Poison Study, read this series!

And great news, there's another book coming, so this is not goodbye.

Review: Reluctant Queen

* Book 2 in the Queens of Renthia series *

Daleina ascends to the throne, but it cost her a terrible price. Now she's trying to hold on to her throne, but she keeps having blackouts. Her healer informs her, she's dying.With a heavy heart, she hurries to find an heir. Without one, the spirits will destroy her empire and everyone in it.

Daleina just became Queen and it would take years to train an heir. But she doesn't have that kind of time. She orders her champions to find someone - anyone to take her place. Could their be a candidate that can help save their kingdom?

Champion Ven finds a woman in the villages who has a tremendous amount of power. But she is untrained and has no interest in ruling. She only seeks to keep her children safe. Can she be convinced to save them along with the kingdom?

My Thoughts: I adored this book. I loved learning more about the kingdom, after Daleina becomes queen. Especially all the political drama and seeing inside the palace (I wonder what the library looks like). I enjoyed Naelin's role and how she found her confidence. I loved seeing favorite characters - like Champion Ven and Bayn. I adored Naelin's children - they were funny and sweet. Lots of danger, betrayal, and secrets. And of course the book ended on a note that makes me long for book 3 immediately! 

Cover Thoughts: Great - I love the colors
Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: An adult fantasy book that crosses over for teens. Grab this one for high school libraries and public libraries. 

Mini Review: HeartStone

A Pride and Prejudice Retelling with Dragons

How it's Different:
Wyverns
Jane and Lizzie's sister dies before the books open
Monsters
Merybourne Manor
Charlotte's happiness with her husband
The battle at the end

The Feel of the Book is the Same:
It follows a similar plot line (obviously details have been changed to fit the dragon)
Lydia/Wickham story is a bit different - which I liked
The tension between Aliza and Alastair is spot on

I really enjoyed this retelling! 

I wouldn't mind other Austen novels set in this world too! 

If you missed my Q and A with the author, check it out here.

Blog Tour: Heartstone

Title: HEARTSTONE

Author: Elle Katharine White

Pub. Date: January 17, 2017

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Pages: 352

Formats: Paperback eBook

Find it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Goodreads

A debut historical fantasy that recasts Jane Austen’s beloved Pride and Prejudice in an imaginative world of wyverns, dragons, and the warriors who fight alongside them against the monsters that threaten the kingdom: gryphons, direwolves, lamias, banshees, and lindworms.

They say a Rider in possession of a good blade must be in want of a monster to slay—and Merybourne Manor has plenty of monsters.

Passionate, headstrong Aliza Bentaine knows this all too well; she’s already lost one sister to the invading gryphons. So when Lord Merybourne hires a band of Riders to hunt down the horde, Aliza is relieved her home will soon be safe again.

Her relief is short-lived. With the arrival of the haughty and handsome dragonrider, Alastair Daired, Aliza expects a battle; what she doesn’t expect is a romantic clash of wills, pitting words and wit against the pride of an ancient house. Nor does she anticipate the mystery that follows them from Merybourne Manor, its roots running deep as the foundations of the kingdom itself, where something old and dreadful slumbers . . . something far more sinister than gryphons.

It’s a war Aliza is ill-prepared to wage, on a battlefield she’s never known before: one spanning kingdoms, class lines, and the curious nature of her own heart.

Elle Katharine White infuses elements of Austen’s beloved novel with her own brand of magic, crafting a modern epic fantasy that conjures a familiar yet wondrously unique new world.

About Elle:

Elle was born and raised in Buffalo, NY, where she learned valuable life skills like how to clear a snowy driveway in under twenty minutes (a lot easier than you think) and how to cheer for the perennial underdog (a lot harder than you think).

MEET ELLE

When she's not writing she spends her time reading, drinking absurd amounts of tea, having strong feelings about fictional characters, and doing her best to live with no regrets.

​

Connect with her on Facebook at @ellewhite.author, or witness the hilarious spectacle that is a writer contending with the 140-character limit on Twitter at @elle_k_writes.

Website | Twitter |Tumblr | Facebook | Goodreads

Q and A with Elle:1. When did you first discover Jane Austen?Pride and Prejudice was required reading for English class my senior year of high school. Despite being a romantic at heart, I’d made it almost eighteen years without spoilers, so I went into it without any idea of what was going to happen. Good grief, I was so deep into the story I think I actually shouted at Darcy during his first proposal. Needless to say, it was love from page one.
  
2. What made you decide to cross dragons with Pride and Prejudice?Lazy Sunday afternoons and housemates with good taste in movies are a magical combination. I was rereading Pride and Prejudice while my housemate watched How to Train Your Dragon. Halfway through the movie I had a sudden image of Mr. Darcy riding a dragon and, well, that was that. I started writing HEARTSTONE that night.

3. Would you rather be a dragonrider or a healer?Dragonrider. Hands down. First, there’s flying. (Plot twist: I’m terrified of heights, but here’s assuming my hypothetical dragon would be good at catching. So it’d work out.) Second, it’d make for an epic commute to work, and who doesn’t want that? Third, heated seats.
Oh, and also there’s FLYING.

4. Would you ever listen to advice on romance from Aliza's mother?I’d take her advice with several tablespoons of salt, but yes, I’d listen to Moira Bentaine. She has lots of life experience, and hiding beneath her theatrics is a fair bit of well-earned wisdom.

5. What's the best romantic advice you've ever received?“It’s not about you.” In life and in love, that’s the best advice I’ve ever gotten.

Awesome, I CAN'T WAIT to read this book!

Check out the rest of the Tour:

Week One:

1/9/2017- YA Book Nerd- Interview         

1/10/2017- Seeing Double In Neverland - Review

1/11/2017- Novel Novice- Guest Post     

1/12/2017- What the Cat Read- Review 

1/13/2017- Two Chicks on Books- Interview        

Week Two:

1/16/2017- Fiction Fare - Review

1/17/2017- The Eater of Books!- Excerpt

1/18/2017- History from a Woman's Perspective- Review             

1/19/2017- Stories & Sweeties- Excerpt

1/20/2017- The Book Nut- Review   

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of HEARTSTONE, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Interview: Sarah Beth Durst

I'm so happy to be chatting with Sarah Beth Durst today because I loved The Queen of Blood. It's a fantastic story, you can read my review here - but trust me, it's amazing! It comes out tomorrow, so be sure to get your hands on a copy and ask your library if they have it or will be getting it.

Add it to Goodreads
Sarah's Website

Which of the spirits would you like to interact most with?

 I'd choose the air spirit that Daleina, an idealistic student who wants to be queen, flies on in THE QUEEN OF BLOOD.  It's basically an enormous ermine with bat wings -- I picture it looking like Falcor from The Neverending Story.  Granted, it would rather eat me than carry me...  In fact, it's unlikely that I'd survive more than ten minutes in Renthia.

For my new epic fantasy series, THE QUEENS OF RENTHIA, I created the most beautiful world I could imagine, full of extremes of nature: towering trees, endless glaciers, and sky-piercing mountains.  And I populated it with bloodthirsty nature spirits who want to kill all humans.

Would you rather travel for miles on foot or in the air with ziplines?

 I'd like to say ziplines, because I'd love to be the kind of person who would bravely zoom through the forest, hundreds of feet above the ground.  But I'd probably be a whimpering mess.  So I should stick to traveling on foot.

Part of the reason that I love to write (and read!) is that in books, I can be brave.  I can go on adventures.  I can defeat the massive evil.  I can travel to places I'd never dare go or that don't exist.  All without ever leaving my chair!

Would you rather be good at one skill or mediocre in several skills?

 Good at one skill, please.  It would be a nice bonus if I could choose what the skill was, but really, any skill could be a superpower if one were sufficiently amazing at it.  I admit that I'm not sure what I'd do if I had a skill like "really great at making animal sounds" or "can wiggle her ears independently," but I'd think of something...

 How many books are planned in this series?

 There are three books planned: THE QUEEN OF BLOOD, THE RELUCTANT QUEEN, and THE QUEEN OF SORROW.  I am loving writing these books so much!  It's been such an immersive experience.  Every day when I sit down to write, it feels like walking through the wardrobe into another world.

When does the next one come out because I need it!!!

 Book two will be out in July.  And book three will be out ten months after that.  So you won't need to wait a full year!  These books are on an accelerated publishing schedule, which makes me very happy.

Anything I didn't ask?

 My favorite foods are chocolate-covered strawberries, fresh raspberries, and pizza.  My favorite snack is Raisinets.  My favorite movie is Star Wars Force Awakens.  (It used to be New Hope, but Rey!!!)  My writing partner is Gwen.  She's a cat.  She contributes by stepping on the Caps Lock key and sleeping on print-outs of my manuscripts.  And that's pretty much everything there is to know about me.  Oh, I also have really, really curly hair that repels water like a duck.

Upcoming Adult Review: Queen of Blood

 * Book 1 in the Queens of Renthia series *

In the world of Renthia, the Queen rules all, from the humans to the malevolent spirits. But this Queen, even with her strength, can't seem to control all the spirits. The spirits keep attacking her people.

When Daleina's village is attacked by spirits and destroyed, she has some power to stop them. Her family and their house survives. Because of that power, she takes the test of the academy. When she passes, she gives up everything she knows to train for the chance to become Queen.

Deleina isn't the best nor the most skilled student, but she works hard to make up for it. She rarely sees her family. When a disgraced champion comes looking for a student to train, they chose each other. Can two outcasts change the world?

My Thoughts: It took me a few pages to get into this book and then I was hooked. I didn't want to stop reading it! I loved it and I'm so eager for the next one!

The world building was amazing. 
I found the spirits interesting and scary too.
I loved the wolf.
I loved how Ven and Deleina traveled
I enjoyed the romance
I like how Deleina knew she wasn't the best student but was determined to keep going
Ven reminded me a bit of Hamish (minus the drinking)
I loved the way Deleina created groups of friends and how she tried not to let anyone down.
Deleina was determined, courageous, loyal, smart, and thought about the world differently. She's a wonderful heroine. 

Cover Thoughts: Borrowed ARC
Release Date: September 20th
Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for all adult sections of public libraries (but I think this is also an A/YA crossover title and perfect for Throne of Glass fans)

Come back on Monday for an interview with the author and learn more about the book!