Review: The Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke

The Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke
Genre: YA Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Retelling
Publication: October 2nd 2018 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Series: None. Standalone.
Length: 384 pages
Format: ARC from publisher
Rating: ★★★★☆

Amazon || Book Depository

A dark and gorgeously drawn standalone YA fantasy about a band of mercenary girls in search of female glory. Won in a major six-house auction!

Frey, Ovie, Juniper, and Runa are the Boneless Mercies—girls hired to kill quickly, quietly, and mercifully. But Frey is weary of the death trade and, having been raised on the heroic sagas of her people, dreams of a bigger life.

When she hears of an unstoppable monster ravaging a nearby town, Frey decides this is the Mercies’ one chance out. The fame and fortune of bringing down such a beast would ensure a new future for all the Mercies. In fact, her actions may change the story arc of women everywhere.

Full of fierce girls, bloodlust, tenuous alliances, and unapologetic quests for glory, this elegantly spun tale challenges the power of storytelling—and who gets to be the storyteller. Perfect for fans of Maggie Stiefvater, V.E. Schwab, and Heidi Heilig.

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Review: For a Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig

For a Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig
Genre: YA Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Magic
Publication: September 25th 2018 by Greenwillow Books
Series: For a Muse of Fire #1
Length: 512 pages
Format: ARC from publisher
Rating: ★★★★

Amazon || Book Depository

A young woman with a dangerous power she barely understands. A smuggler with secrets of his own. A country torn between a merciless colonial army, a terrifying tyrant, and a feared rebel leader. The first book in a new trilogy from the acclaimed Heidi Heilig blends traditional storytelling with ephemera for a lush, page-turning tale of escape and rebellion. For a Muse of Fire will captivate fans of Sabaa Tahir, Leigh Bardugo, and Renée Ahdieh.

Jetta’s family is famed as the most talented troupe of shadow players in the land. With Jetta behind the scrim, their puppets seem to move without string or stick—a trade secret, they say. In truth, Jetta can see the souls of the recently departed and bind them to the puppets with her blood. But the old ways are forbidden ever since the colonial army conquered their country, so Jetta must never show, never tell. Her skill and fame are her family’s way to earn a spot aboard the royal ship to Aquitan, where shadow plays are the latest rage, and where rumor has it the Mad King has a spring that cures his ills. Because seeing spirits is not the only thing that plagues Jetta. But as rebellion seethes and as Jetta meets a young smuggler, she will face truths and decisions that she never imagined—and safety will never seem so far away.

Heidi Heilig creates a vivid, rich world inspired by Asian cultures and French colonialism. Her characters are equally complex and nuanced, including the bipolar heroine. Told from Jetta’s first-person point-of-view, as well as chapters written as play scripts and ephemera such as telegrams and letters, For a Muse of Fire is an engrossing journey that weaves magic, simmering romance, and the deep bonds of family with the high stakes of epic adventure.

Review: Sky In The Deep by Adrienne Young

Sky In The Deep by Adrienne Young
Genre: YA Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Publication: April 24th 2018 by Wednesday Books
Series: No. Standalone.
Length: 352 pages
Format: ARC from Wednesday Books
Rating: ★★★★.5

Amazon || Book Depository

OND ELDR. BREATHE FIRE.

Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: fight and survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield—her brother, fighting with the enemy—the brother she watched die five years ago.

Faced with her brother’s betrayal, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy, every battle scar possibly one she delivered. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan thought to be a legend, Eelyn is even more desperate to get back to her beloved family.

She is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother’s friend, who sees her as a threat. They must do the impossible: unite the clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one. Driven by a love for her clan and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must confront her own definition of loyalty and family while daring to put her faith in the people she’s spent her life hating.

Review: The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine

The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publication: February 14th 2017 by Balzer + Bray

Series: Ravenspire #2

Length: 432 pages

Format: Hardcover

The world has turned upside down for Thad and Ari Glavan, the bastard twins of Súndraille’s king. Their mother was murdered. The royal family died mysteriously. And now Thad sits on the throne of a kingdom whose streets are suddenly overrun with violence he can’t stop.

Growing up ignored by the nobility, Ari never wanted to be a proper princess. And when Thad suddenly starts training Ari to take his place, she realizes that her brother’s ascension to the throne wasn’t fate. It was the work of a Wish Granter named Alistair Teague who tricked Thad into wishing away both the safety of his people and his soul in exchange for the crown.

So Ari recruits the help of Thad’s enigmatic new weapons master, Sebastian Vaughn, to teach her how to fight Teague. With secret ties to Teague’s criminal empire, Sebastian might just hold the key to discovering Alistair’s weaknesses, saving Ari’s brother—and herself.

But Teague is ruthless and more than ready to destroy anyone who dares stand in his way—and now he has his sights set on the princess. And if Ari can’t outwit him, she’ll lose Sebastian, her brother…and her soul.

Book Boys and Valentine’s Day!

Hey, Bookworms!

It’s Jesse here. It’s that time of year again where everywhere you go there are gigantic hearts, chocolate, cinnamon hearts, stuffed animals with cheesy sayings, and all those happy in-love couples. BLEH

I’m kidding about the last part… maybe. No for real, if you have been lucky enough for to find that special someone you can see spending your future with, then I am happy for you. As for me, well… let’s just say I’m bad at love.

But there is a solution for people like me. And it’s none other than the dreamy, book boys from our favorite stories. That’s right folks, you heard me. I have a slew of fictional boyfriends that I only know about. But I thought it would be fun to spill the beans today, just in time for Valentine’s. And who knows, maybe I’m not the only one?

Hyped Up Books of 2018

Hey, Bookworms!

It’s Jesse here. Today I wanted to add to all the hype, because why not? We all know what hyped up books are, but for those who don’t, let me explain.

A hyped up book or overhyped book is a book that is receiving so much pre-release buzz from publishers, press, bloggers, and readers in general. Books that everyone is so excited for that they can’t stop talking about them.

I thought it would be fun to compile a little list of the books that I think are getting the most hype this year. Now I know hype could be a good or bad thing. It not only pumps readers up to read the book, but it also scares them.

What if the book isn’t as good as the hype around it? I don’t want to be let down. What if I end up with an unpopular opinion?

Those are all valid reasons, but you’ll never know until you read the book! So let’s see some of the books receiving major buzz and hype!

Review: Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publication: May 16th, 2017 by G.P. Putnam’s Son Books

Series: Flame in the Mist #1

Length: 493 pages

Format: Hardcover

The only daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has always known she’d been raised for one purpose and one purpose only: to marry. Never mind her cunning, which rivals that of her twin brother, Kenshin, or her skills as an accomplished alchemist. Since Mariko was not born a boy, her fate was sealed the moment she drew her first breath.

So, at just seventeen years old, Mariko is sent to the imperial palace to meet her betrothed, a man she did not choose, for the very first time. But the journey is cut short when Mariko’s convoy is viciously attacked by the Black Clan, a dangerous group of bandits who’ve been hired to kill Mariko before she reaches the palace.

The lone survivor, Mariko narrowly escapes to the woods, where she plots her revenge. Dressed as a peasant boy, she sets out to infiltrate the Black Clan and hunt down those responsible for the target on her back. Once she’s within their ranks, though, Mariko finds for the first time she’s appreciated for her intellect and abilities. She even finds herself falling in love—a love that will force her to question everything she’s ever known about her family, her purpose, and her deepest desires.

Dear Santa, a Bookish Christmas List

Hey, Bookworms!

It’s December and you know what that means: CHRISTMAS!! Cue music *It’s the most wonderful time of the year* 🎶🎶🎶

I thought it would be a fun idea to compile a list of books you guys should ask Santa for this year. I’ve picked 7 of my favorites from this year that I think all you guys would enjoy as well! Some of them are sequels, so if you haven’t read the first book, I suggest asking Santa for that one first!

Dear Santa,

I’ve been a really good boy this year. Now I don’t ask for much, but I would really appreciate it if you would put all these books under my tree this year. (There will be more cookies for you as incentive). Thanks, you’re the best!

Signed your greatest pal,

Jesse

Books to Splurge On During Black Friday

Hey Bookworms!

It’s everyone’s favorite shopping day (at least in North America)! BLACK FRIDAY WOOO!!

So you know what that means? It’s the one day a year where it’s okay to spend excessively on books because you will be getting such an amazing deal! At least that’s what I plan to do anyway.

I thought it would be a fun idea to give you some books suggestions that I think would be great additions to your shelves this Black Friday. So let’s begin!

Review: The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima

The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima

Genre: YA Fantasy, Magic

Publication: October 6th 2009 by Hyperion Books

Series: Seven Realms #1

Length: 506 pages

Format: Hardcover

Times are hard in the mountain city of Fellsmarch. Reformed thief Han Alister will do almost anything to eke out a living for his family. The only thing of value he has is something he can’t sell—the thick silver cuffs he’s worn since birth. They’re clearly magicked—as he grows, they grow, and he’s never been able to get them off.

One day, Han and his clan friend, Dancer, confront three young wizards setting fire to the sacred mountain of Hanalea. Han takes an amulet from Micah Bayar, son of the High Wizard, to keep him from using it against them. Soon Han learns that the amulet has an evil history—it once belonged to the Demon King, the wizard who nearly destroyed the world a millennium ago. With a magical piece that powerful at stake, Han knows that the Bayars will stop at nothing to get it back.

Meanwhile, Raisa ana‘Marianna, princess heir of the Fells, has her own battles to fight. She’s just returned to court after three years of freedom in the mountains—riding, hunting, and working the famous clan markets. Raisa wants to be more than an ornament in a glittering cage. She aspires to be like Hanalea—the legendary warrior queen who killed the Demon King and saved the world. But her mother has other plans for her…

The Seven Realms tremble when the lives of Hans and Raisa collide, fanning the flames of the smoldering war between clans and wizards.