Tag: Books: Fantasy

Review: The Reluctant Queen

Posted 28 November, 2018 by Lianne in Books / 0 Comments

The Reluctant Queen (The Queens of Renthia #2)
By: Sarah Beth Durst
Format/Source: Mass market paperback; my purchase

In The Queen of Blood, Daleina used her strength and skill to survive the malevolent nature spirits of Renthia and claim the crown. But now she is hiding a terrible secret: she is dying. If she leaves the world before a new heir is ready, the spirits that inhabit her realm will once again run wild, destroying her cities and slaughtering her people.

Naelin has the power necessary to become an heir, but she couldn’t be further removed from the Queen. Her world is her two children, her husband, and her remote village tucked deep in the forest. But when Ven, the Queen’s champion, passes through her village, Naelin’s ambitious husband tells him of his wife’s ability to control spirits—magic that Naelin fervently denies. She knows embracing her power will bring death and separation from those she loves.

But Ven must find the best possible candidate to protect the people of Aratay. As the Queen’s power begins to wane and the spirits become emboldened, the only way Naelin can keep her son and daughter safe is to risk everything.

Alrighty, here we are, second installment of The Queens of Renthia trilogy. I enjoyed the first book enough so I was wondering how this new character plays a role in the story and where the story was going to go.

Review: The Queen of Blood

Posted 26 November, 2018 by Lianne in Books / 0 Comments

The Queen of Blood (The Queens of Renthia #1)
By: Sarah Beth Durst
Format/Source: Mass market paperback; my purchase

An idealistic young student and a banished warrior become allies in a battle to save their realm in this first book of a mesmerizing epic fantasy series, filled with political intrigue, violent magic, malevolent spirits, and thrilling adventure

Everything has a spirit: the willow tree with leaves that kiss the pond, the stream that feeds the river, the wind that exhales fresh snow . . .

But the spirits that reside within this land want to rid it of all humans. One woman stands between these malevolent spirits and the end of humankind: the queen. She alone has the magical power to prevent the spirits from destroying every man, woman, and child. But queens are still just human, and no matter how strong or good, the threat of danger always looms.

With the position so precarious, young women are chosen to train as heirs. Daleina, a seemingly quiet academy student, is under no illusions as to her claim to the throne, but simply wants to right the wrongs that have befallen the land. Ven, a disgraced champion, has spent his exile secretly fighting against the growing number of spirit attacks. Joining forces, these daring partners embark on a treacherous quest to find the source of the spirits’ restlessness—a journey that will test their courage and trust, and force them to stand against both enemies and friends to save their land . . . before it’s bathed in blood.

I have been staring at this book for perhaps two years now, lol. I think it first caught my attention while I was browsing a bookstore in Denmark; the cover was lovely and the premise was intriguing, but then like most books I encounter, I don’t actually pick them up until a year after the fact, lol. And here we are, in desperate need to read something that’s not nursing school-related and therefore checking out this book at long last.

Review: The World of All Souls

Posted 15 November, 2018 by Lianne in Books / 1 Comment

The World of All Souls: A Complete Guide to A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, and the Book of Life
By: Deborah Harkness
Format/Source: Hardback; my purchase

A Discovery of Witches introduced Diana Bishop, Oxford scholar and reluctant witch, and vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont. Shadow of Night and The Book of Life carried Deborah Harkness’s series to its spellbinding conclusion.

In The World of All Souls, Harkness shares the rich sources of inspiration behind her bewitching novels. She draws together synopses, character bios, maps, recipes, and even the science behind creatures, magic, and alchemy–all with her signature historian’s touch. Bursting with fascinating facts and dazzling artwork, this essential handbook is a must-have for longtime fans and eager newcomers alike.

I don’t remember why I stalled on picking up this book…It was probably the price, thinking I didn’t need a complete guide or anything. Who was I kidding? Of course I needed it in my life! lol

Review: Anansi Boys

Posted 13 August, 2018 by Lianne in Books / 0 Comments

Anansi Boys
By: Neil Gaiman
Format/Source: eBook; my purchase

When Fat Charlie’s dad named something, it stuck. Like calling Fat Charlie “Fat Charlie.” Even now, twenty years later, Charlie Nancy can’t shake that name, one of the many embarrassing “gifts” his father bestowed — before he dropped dead on a karaoke stage and ruined Fat Charlie’s life.

Mr. Nancy left Fat Charlie things. Things like the tall, good-looking stranger who appears on Charlie’s doorstep, who appears to be the brother he never knew. A brother as different from Charlie as night is from day, a brother who’s going to show Charlie how to lighten up and have a little fun … just like Dear Old Dad. And all of a sudden, life starts getting very interesting for Fat Charlie.

Because, you see, Charlie’s dad wasn’t just any dad. He was Anansi, a trickster god, the spider-god. Anansi is the spirit of rebellion, able to overturn the social order, create wealth out of thin air, and baffle the devil. Some said he could cheat even Death himself.

I think this is the last full-length Neil Gaiman novel that I haven’t read it. Maybe that’s why I had been stalling on reading it, to savour it. Or maybe I was waiting for Hallowe’en to come around. But anyway, I finally got around to reading it last month 🙂

Review: The Death of Dulgath

Posted 27 June, 2018 by Lianne in Books / 0 Comments

The Death of Dulgath (The Riyria Chronicles #3)
By: Michael J. Sullivan
Format/Source: eBook; supported the Kickstarter project

Three times they tried to kill her. Then professionals were hired. So was Riyria.

When the last member of the oldest noble family in Avryn is targeted for assassination, Riyria’s Royce and Hadrian are hired to foil the plot. Three years have passed since Hadrian, the war-weary mercenary, and Royce, the cynical ex-assassin joined forces to become rogues-for-hire. All has gone well until they’re asked to help prevent a murder. Now they must venture into an ancient corner of the world to save a mysterious woman who knows more about Royce than is safe, and cares less about herself than is sane.

So this is actually how I was prompted to check out the Riyria Chronicles: I had heard that Orbit didn’t pick up the rest of the series for some reason but the premise of the novel sounded really interesting to I supported the Kickstarter to fund the publication of this book. Like the other books in the series it sort of sat on my TBR pile for a while but here we are now 🙂