Tag: fantasy
Protected: The Fishermen’s Princess Chapter Fourteen
10 books to read after Six of Crows
Wish you had more Six of Crows? I’ve compiled a list of books to fill that Kaz-shaped hole in your heart after finishing Crooked Kingdom.
When I think of Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows duology, the words gritty, dark, clever and underworld come to mind. If you’re searching for another read full of nimble thieves and/or intrigue, read on!
The Book of Night, by Holly Black – Expert thief Charlie is trying to go straight, but when her shadow-filled version of Eastern Massachussetts is upended by strange murders, the underworld comes for Charlie. This wonderfully gritty story of shadow magic and unexpected love is a riveting urban fantasy.
A Darker Shade of Magic, by V.E. Schwabb – One of two perspectives in this portal fantasy belongs to thief and pirate wannabe Lila; the other to a dimension-walking honorary royal who smuggles for the thrill of it.
The Theft of Sunlight, by Intisar Khanani – Country girl Rae must work with (and against) thieving rings in the capital in order to find abducted children from throughout Menaiya, including the sister of her closest friend. (You can find my full review here on the blog.)
The Prince and the Poisoner, by Helena Rookwood – A sassy young thief and carnival potionmaker must slip poison to a princess, or else be sent back to the abusive troupe she’s fled from. (Find my review of this indie fantasy here.)
Night Angel (Night Angel Trilogy), by Brent Weeks – If you loved the gritty underworld of the Barrel, you’ll want to meet Kylar and the slew of villains he can’t quite escape.
Half a King, by Joe Abercrombie – A prince becomes a slave who must claw his way back to his kingdom and throne after a betrayal. Fans of Six of Crows will appreciate the intrigue.
Tapestry of Night, by Elm Vince – Cassia is a late bloomer magically, and the perfect person to play government spy and help free rebels before they’re moved to a new prison. (Read my review here.)
The City of Brass, by S.A. Chakraborty – Nahri is a thief and hustler in Cairo–until the day an ifrit chases her and a djinn comes to her defense. As It turns out, the djinni city of Daevabad has enough intrigue going on to keep even Kaz Brekker on his toes. (My review here.)
The Assassin Bride (currently on Kindle Vella), by Anastasis Blythe – An assassin is plucked from her foxhole and dropped into a deadly competition to be Queen–one she can’t escape without surviving each of the dangerous and clever challenges.
A Dark and Hollow Star, by Ashley Shuttleworth – This contemporary fantasy set mostly in a fae-filled Toronto has all the wit of Six of Crows, plus a crime to solve and a heist-like mission to find the culprit. A Dark and Hollow Star is also full of LGBTQ+ rep, fun nerd culture references and an unforgettable fallen Fury.
Girl of Shadow and Glass cover reveal!
Not long ago, I made the decision to relaunch my Tara’s Necklace series ahead of book three. (No, I don’t have a release date in mind, sorry!) The first thing I did was commission brand new covers from MiblArt, and they absolutely NAILED what I wanted. The new cover of Girl of Shadow and Glass came out perfectly.
(And guess what? I think the new cover for Girl of Glass and Fury is even better!)
Each cover represents a different world in the portal fantasy series, visited by a narrator in each book. I’ll be sharing some of the new scenes from Girl of Shadow and Glass later, but first…
Girl of Shadow and Glass has a new synopsis!
Dare to dream. Live to defy.
I can’t remember the last time I dared to dream about anything—not about my future, never about love, and certainly not about the sorcery the ancestors left behind.
All that’s about to change.
Kith has spent each of her seventeen years being coddled by the wisps and semi-wisps of her world. Born physically fragile, her family, elders and neighbors have never allowed her the independent life she craves. It’s no wonder she looks forward to her brush with sorcery each morning. When she passes through an ancient gate to a neighboring world, the animal-like shadows are there to welcome her—and the shadows aren’t the coddling type.
Bound by treaty to feed and educate her, the magical shadows have become beloved teachers for Kith—until one of them makes a shocking decision. Kith must succeed at a new type of education: she must learn to run faster than a shadow or risk going hungry.
With the weight of an inter-world treaty on her shoulders–and encouragement from a young man with courtship on his mind—Kith sets out on a journey to become stronger, smarter and more independent, all within the bounds of her dying world and the body she was born with. Because as the last of her ancestors’ protective sorcery gives way, it’s no longer enough for Kith to defy the odds.
It’s time to live to defy.
Isn’t it a beauty? I thought it captured the Sundown World perfectly.
You can find the new addition of Girl of Shadow Glass at your favorite retailer through this UBL (just make sure it has this cover–some retailers will take longer to update than others). Right now, it’s just $.99 USD!
Cheers!
-CKB
10 Questions with Chesney Infalt
As the author of two fairytale retellings and a Victorian romance, indie fantasy author Chesney Infalt has a lot to say about writing, including her latest release, The Fox and the Briar (you can read my review here). I interviewed the author shortly before the Sleeping Beauty retelling debuted. Here’s what she had to say:
Your new Sleeping Beauty retelling, The Fox and the Briar, follows another, The Heart of the Sea. You’ve said you plan to write more fairytale retellings. Is there one particular fairytale you can’t wait to draw from?
I have a (long) planned list of fairytales I’m excited to write! Snow White is currently in the works, and I’m really looking forward to writing Red Riding Hood and Alice in Wonderland.
As a nearly life-long Cheshire Cat fan, this may not be a question so much as a request. Can you tell me more about the Cheshire Cat and his role in Faerie?
In this series, the Cheshire Cat, although he is in everyone else’s business, keeps his secrets to himself. He seems to fancy himself as a sort of balance keeper for Faerie, adding just as much chaos as he does order. This is definitely not the last time you will see him—he enjoys annoying Toussaint far too much.
You’ve also written Victorian romance with A Different Kind of Magic. What about that era speaks to you?
I think I love the aesthetic—the clothing, the societal expectations, the dances and parties.
Do you think any of those Victorian sensibilities carry over into your romantic fairytale retellings?
I think so! Both stories mention the main characters having chaperones, and while the women in them are independent and strong-willed, society has expectations of them getting married to beneficial matches and starting families.
Are there other eras you’d like to set a fantasy novel in?
I’d love to do a more medieval setting. I had a high fantasy series I started but am rewriting, and that setting is a lot closer to that era. Honestly, I am open to writing whatever era speaks to me. If the story calls for it, I am willing!
As I’m writing this question, I’m more than two-thirds of the way through The Fox and the Briar. Can you tell me why I’m rooting for Tristan, who is set up as the villain, to get the girl?! And was this the reaction you were hoping for?
In the beginning, The Unseelie King was not meant to be likable at all—but it’s not fun if the villain isn’t interesting. I started fleshing him out and giving him a reason for wanting to curse Briar Rose, and that evolved into me writing chapters from his perspective. One of my critique partners (the marvelous L V Russell) suggested early on that I add a prologue from his perspective, showing the curse being cast, and from then on, I adored him! (He is my favorite character from this series so far…) As for the romance… I didn’t ever see Tristan and Briar Rose having a romantic connection, although I figured some might see it that way. I think they are drawn to one another, but not as lovers. I hope the readers see and appreciate the complexity of both Tristan’s character and his connection to Briar Rose.
Let’s talk crafting characters! I think Loren has such a Darcy-esque social unease and sweetness, but at the same time he is easily led by emotion. Tristan, meanwhile, is full of well-calculated plans and responses, yet has so much confidence and villain swagger! Did you always intend for the half-brothers to be such perfect opposites?
I love the way you described them! Their personalities developed as I wrote. Tristan was really easy for me to write, but one of my betas (the fantastic Katherine Macdonald) pointed out that Loren read a little flat at times, so I am grateful she helped me backtrack and flesh him out more. I like to find songs that remind me of my characters, and as soon as I realized that “I’m Still Here” from Treasure Planet perfectly captured Loren in my mind, he came alive to me in a whole new way. It was fascinating to see how these half-brothers deal with the sins of their parents and the roles they have been pressured into.
There are plenty of misunderstandings between Briar Rose and Loren early in The Fox and the Briar, plus an arranged marriage trope. What are your favorite tropes to write about?
A few of my favorites:
Arranged Marriage/Marriage of Convenience
Fated Love
Friends-to-Lovers
Enemies-to-Lovers
Found Family
Redemption
You’ve shared on Instagram that you’re working on a Howl’s Moving Castle-inspired gothic fantasy. Can you tell me, I don’t know, everything about that?
I am so excited about that project! Howl’s Moving Castle has been a favorite of mine for a long time, so it really isn’t surprising that I got an idea inspired by it. I actually woke up from a nightmare, and instead of calming myself down and going back to sleep (it was 3 am!), the idea for a gothic romance began to form. I wasn’t done editing TFATB yet, so I didn’t let myself go further than jotting down notes and writing a blurb (and making a few moodboards) until after that was done.
I don’t want to say a ton about the project yet, but I’ll list a few things “The Magic Collector” will have:
Marriage of Convenience
Ghosts
Curses to break
Touch-starved MC
A castle that doesn’t like to stay in the same place (or time!) for very long
Thanks for joining me today! As a final question, I’d like to issue a challenge: please write a short story in 10 words or less.
Using my three wishes bound me in servitude.
Chesney Infalt is the author of The Heart of the Sea, A Different Kind of Magic and The Fox and the Briar. To learn more about Ms. Infalt, visit chesneyinfalt.com.
The Fox and the Briar review
Note: I received a free ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I’m so taken with this incredibly gentle, understated fantasy retelling! The Fox and the Briar is a fae retelling of Sleeping Beauty, with a reserved, Darcy-esque fae prince who can’t seem to find the right words to tell his princess how he feels.
Fans of the miscommunication trope will like the initial premise. Those who don’t will be pleased (and maybe squee a little) when it ends with the first quarter or so of the story. There’s an arranged marriage, a prince in magical disguise and Tristan, a wicked fae king with boldness for days. And who doesn’t love a villain with swagger?
The more I read of Tristan, the more I loved this story. While the (loveably) bumbling Seelie prince can’t find the nerve to express himself, Unseelie King Tristan casually worries about keeping a courtier from falling in love with him. The guy’s got confidence.
I really liked where the story was left, and hope to hear more from the characters, just like characters from author Chesney Infalt’s previous retelling, The Heart of the Sea, make an appearance in The Fox and the Briar. And if the Cheshire Cat is involved–included here as a denizen of faerie–you know it has to be good.
My rating:
5/5
To learn more about this author, check out the interview, 10 Questions with Chesney Infalt (live 6/3/22), or visit chesneyinfalt.com.
Want more fairytale retellings?
Retellings to Thrill Any Fantasy Reader (review list with links)
From Storm and Shadow cover reveal!
Yes to fae fantasy and unlikely allies!
From Storm and Shadow, by Rachel Morgan, is the first in a new series, Storm Fae, and set in the same world as her Creepy Hollow series. It’s also one of my favorite cover types, but we’ll get to that…
Giveaway and Deals
For a giveaway through Book of Matches Media, head to my Instagram page for details. Otherwise, you can pick up Ms. Morgan’s entire previous series, Creepy Hollow, for just $2.99 until tomorrow (May 31, 2022). And in case you’re wondering, there are nine books! Get the deal through this UBL.
Synopsis
Return to the beloved bestselling World of Guardians…
When Silver’s parents are murdered in front of her by the people she’s trusted for years, she flees the fae realm and begins a new life pretending to be human.
More than two years later, she believes she’s finally safe—until the night someone from the Guild shows up.
Ash.
The boy who was once her best friend. The boy who tried to kill her.
He’s on the run now as well, after discovering the same secret that led to Silver’s parents’ deaths. Or so he says.
The forest they grew up in has become a dangerous place, crawling with fae monsters, and Ash claims he needs Silver’s help. The discovery her parents made years ago could be the only thing to save their home.
Silver knows Ash is only using her—he’s a guardian, after all, and they’re the ones who took everything from her—but she can’t turn her back on the home she still loves.
And so she forms a fragile truce with the boy who broke her heart. Stepping back into the world she swore never to return to, she sets out on a dangerous path to unlock the secrets of the past.
But neither Silver nor Ash are prepared for the true horror of what they will find lurking in the shadows of Stormsdrift.
From Storm and Shadow can be purchased here. And now for the pretty picture…
I don’t know about you, but I’m a sucker for ominous covers with blossoms. Maybe it’s from my childhood The Secret Garden obsession, but I always want to dive on in!
That’s all for now!
Cheers,
-CKB
16 awesome Asian-inspired fantasy worlds
I should’ve called this 16 plus books, since so many of these are series…es?! In any event, I’m here with some bookish representation for those always in search of more. These 16 books represent places throughout Asia and Polynesia through fresh takes on mythology, settings and retellings. Check them out below!
The Chanter’s Blade, by A.A. Lee – When I found this Philippines-inspired fantasy, it went on my TBR list. So far, the writing has grabbed me.
Sunbolt, by Intisar Khanani – The intersection of cultures (and monsters) features prominently in this book. Set in a West Asian-inspired country with a feisty FMC whose mother came from an East Asian-inspured country, Hitomi is sure to steal readers’ hearts. (My review here.)
Six Crimson Cranes, by Elizabeth Lim – A coming of age story for the ages–or maybe just a few days for a dragon. (My review.)
The Singing Hills Cycle, by Nghi Vo (The Empress of Salt and Fortune; When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain) – Literary, whimsical and inventive, Vo’s stories get me every time. (Read my review of book one and two.)
The Jasmine Throne, by Tasha Suri – This India-inspired world is as haunting as its characters.
The Priory of the Orange Tree, by Samantha Shannon – Part of this story is set in an East Asian-inspired country. I thought the plentiful storylines thin in this novel, but it’s a favorite for others.
Maiden of Candlelight and Lotuses, by Anastasis Blythe – Blythe’s first book outside of Vella is a magic academy homerun, filled with sweet romance and convincing martial arts action. As of writing this, it’s free for her newsletter subscribers. (Check out my review here.)
The Pler Series, by Anna Velfman (Snowblind; Icedancer; Avalanche) – A fused East-Asian setting is the last great civilization in Velfman’s exciting, science-fantasy-leaning novels with a protagonist from the “uncivilized” south. (My review of Snowblind, Icedancer and Avalanche.)
Gunpowder Alchemy, by Jeannie Lin – Another novel on my TBR list! This one promises steampunk and I can’t wait to read it.
The Poppy War, by R.F. Kuang – Steeped in World War II history (chapters on city warfare are rooted in an actual battle), this one can be hard to stomach, but is undeniably a true fantasy epic. (My review.)
Black Water Sister, by Zen Cho – Okay, so this one is urban fantasy, but its expert fusion of myth, tradition and modern Malaysia are not to be missed. (My review here.)
The Daevabad Trilogy, by S.A. Chakraborty – I haven’t had time to read The Empire of Gold yet (each of these books is LONG) but this series just gets better as it goes. I highly recommend it. (Read my review of The City of Brass.)
Desert Nights series, by Helena Rookwood and Elm Vince – The fairytale retelling duo tackles the story of Aladdin in this fun series. (Read my review of Throne of Sand here.)
The Whale Rider, by Witi Ihimaera – One of my all-time favorite books is a quick a read as it is memorable. I’m including this because of its magical realism. Forget the movie and grab the heartwarming book!
Red Winter, by Annette Marie – Rooted in Japanese mythology, I picked up this book after multiple recommendations.
Tales of Akatsuki, by Nicolette Andrews (Kitsune; Yuki; Okami) – Fairytales are retold and blended with Japanese myth in this series I can’t wait to read.
Atheist’s Angel review
Note: I received a free ARC and am voluntarily writing an honest review. Atheist’s Angel contains scenes of violence, child abuse, self-harm and torture.
I can honestly say I haven’t read another book like this! Atheist’s Angel delivers interesting takes on angels, djinn and Hades. It’s also darker than what I usually read, verging on grimdark without losing its hopeful message. It reminded me of Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes and Hannah Whitten’s For the Wolf.
At the beginning of Atheist’s Angel, human Gabriela rescues Tararus, a fallen angel in every sense of the word. Dropped into the affairs of angel-like celestials and gods, she’s forced into a bargain with Tararus and the god of punishment he serves. Thankfully, Tararus has already grown on her. She sees the good left in him that he can’t see in himself.
The story really picks up when Gabriela ends up in Tararus’s old realm. Though early parts of the book felt slower due to dense language in the exposition, Gabriela’s sarcastic descriptions lift it. They also offer a welcome dose of humor in this often heavy story. One example: when speaking to a benevolent god “…her mortal self stood out like a forty-a-day smoker among vegan gym bunnies.”
I came very close to rating Atheist’s Angel higher (rounding up to 5 stars rather than 4 1/2) and would have if it leaned into the romance and emotion a bit more by the end. After all that darkness and suffering, I wanted a longer payoff. At least I have future books to look forward to for that, and I do expect good things. What could be more fun than watching the celestial and mundane human worlds collide?
My rating:
4.5/5
To learn more about this author, visit annavelfman.com.
Heir of Fire review
I’ve been reading the Throne of Glass series for the first time. You can find my reviews of Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight here…which means it’s time for my Heir of Fire review!
This is by far the most emotional of the books in the Throne of Glass series, so get your tissues ready. It’s also the book that opens up the story for the grander fight against the evil king, without making many steps in that direction.
A lot of Heir of Fire is spent working through Celaena’s internal conflict. She has to face her past in order to move forward. It’s not the most riveting thing to read, but it’s tempered by her developing magical skills and the hunt for a murderer of demi-fae.
Heir of Fire also introduces the Ironteeth witch Manon and the wyverns. As readers get the answer to what’s happening in the mountains (partially), Manon provides a welcome bit of action. I instantly loved the wyvern Abraxos, but unfortunately nothing comes of their storyline in this book.
Will I keep reading? Of course. But I’m an impatient reader. I hope to find much more plot movement in book four, because, though I loved the world-building in Heir of Fire, it did put my patience to the test.
To learn more about this author, visit sarahjmaas.com.